Wijnaldum 'agrees terms' with Barcelona
Gossip & Rumours
By
Mirror
| Sep 02, 2020
Georginio Wijnaldum has agreed terms with Barcelona over a switch from Liverpool, according to one report from Spain.
Wijnaldum has been at the centre of speculation over a possible move to the Nou Camp after the midfielder entered the final year of his Reds deal.
New Barca head coach Ronald Koeman is believed to be a fan of the 29-year-old, having worked with him during his time as the Dutch national boss.
Talks between Wijnaldum and Liverpool over a contract extension appear to have hit an impasse, although Reds manager Jurgen Klopp insisted last week he was relaxed about the situation.
But Wijnaldum has now agreed terms with Barca over a move that will leave Liverpool needing reinforcements, according to Diario Sport .
The Spanish publication claims Wijnaldum has agreed a three-year deal, with the Catalan club now negotiating a transfer fee with the Premier League champions expected to be in the region of £13million to £18m.
Barcelona have signed Miralem Pjanic, but Koeman needs more additions, with Arthur and Ivan Rakiti? having departed to Juventus and Sevilla respectively, while Arturo Vidal also looks set to leave.
Wijnaldum has been a key player for Liverpool since joining from Newcastle for £24m in 2016, having helped the Reds to last year's Champions League success, the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup - and of course this year's stunning Premier League title success.
But with no progress over a new contract for the Holland international, it might make sense for the Reds to cash in rather than lose him for nothing when his contract expires in a year's time.
If Wijnaldum is to leave Liverpool, it will no doubt accelerate the Reds' efforts to sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
Thiago has made it clear he wishes to leave the European champions for a new challenge, and Liverpool are the leading candidates for his signature.
But they are yet to strike a deal with Bayern, who are holding out for £27m for the 29-year-old, with Manchester United having also reportedly entered the race.
Reds boss Klopp appeared unperturbed about Wijaldum's contract situation when quizzed about it last week.
“That’s an open contract situation, obviously, otherwise we would know,” Klopp said.
“That means we don’t talk about it, that’s all. I never did, so why should I change it now? That’s all between us and the player, and all these kinds of things.
“It’s all good in the moment, it’s all fine. Gini looked very good in the pre-season, played obviously a couple of good seasons for us, so that's all I can say about that.”