---
title: "Stephen Warnock delivers warning over Gini Wijnaldum’s contract saga"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/stephen-warnock-sounds-warning-over-gini-wijnaldum-contract-saga/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2020-12-17T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-17T11:00:00Z"
---

# Stephen Warnock delivers warning over Gini Wijnaldum’s contract saga

Former [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/16/former-liverpool-youngster-rafael-camacho-on-the-move/) left-back Stephen Warnock has delivered a stark warning to the Reds hierarchy over the ongoing saga surrounding [Gini Wijnaldum](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/11/gini-wijnaldum-named-as-barcelonas-favourite-target/)‘s contract situation.

The Dutchman’s future remains up in the air as he [approaches the final six months of his current deal](https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-offer-georginio-wijnaldum-new-contract-end-barcelona-interest), although all parties seemingly remain relaxed over what is to come.

Barcelona were [circulating in the summer](https://www.goal.com/en/news/wijnaldum-liverpool-contract-barcelona-speculation/qczijy9ggae61qozjb2j876xf) under the stewardship of the midfielder’s former national team coach Ronald Koeman and the Catalan giants are widely expected to retain their interest.

However, Warnock – a [Red of 67 appearances between 2004 and 2007](https://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/902) – told [Stadium Astro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dov_YoQus9Y&list=WL&index=1&t=126s) that he believes his former club would be making an expensive mistake allowing the 30-year-old to leave and sounded a clear warning to Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards.

He said: “One hundred percent I would (keep him), to go into the market and buy someone like Gini Wijnaldum you’re looking at £50m-£60m. Do Liverpool have the finances to do that after the pandemic? I don’t think they do. They’ve obviously bought Thiago into the squad as well.”

Wijnldum has been one of the few [ever-presents](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/georginio-wijnaldum/leistungsdaten/spieler/49499) so far this season in Jurgen Klopp’s team, his continued fitness an invaluable asset which has come to the fore as the [squad bears the brunt](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-injury-crisis-jurgen-klopp-23085139) of a host of injury absentees.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

We make Warnock bang-on with this one. Signing a player to replace what the [versatile Dutch midfielder](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/jan/03/time-to-notice-georginio-wijnaldum-the-central-figure-in-liverpool-surge-manchester-city) brings to the Premier League champions would likely set the club back at least £50m in today’s market – even with [Edwards’ expertise](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/michael-edwards-strikes-gold-details-emerge-bargain-diogo-jota-transfer-liverpool).

Whether the Reds are given a choice as to find a replacement or to keep Wijnaldum is another matter altogether. Unfortunately, the ongoing delay in signing his new deal seems to increasingly point in the direction of a summer departure.