Gini Wijnaldum Reportedly Close to Signing Contract Extension

Contracts, contracts, contracts! As we approach the actual start (or is it the end?) of “Project Restart,” Liverpool have been tying up loose ends around various contract situations. Adam Lallana? You get a short-term contract extension! Andy Lonergan? You too! Nathaniel Clyne? 01110101 01101110 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 01111001 01111001 00100001.

Looking beyond the end of this season, there is one key Liverpool player whose contract situation should probably be resolved: Georginio Wijnaldum. Gini’s contract is set to expire next summer, and would be able to sign for clubs outside of England as soon as January.

The Dutch international has become a cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, and a vital part of Liverpool’s rise to dominance in England and Europe. In this season alone, Gini started 28 of 29 Premier League matches, and appeared in all 8 Champions League fixtures.

According to The Guardian, Liverpool are hopeful that a deal can be reached between the player and club. Wages are reportedly not an issue, but Gini wanted assurances that he would remain a key player.

Gini turns 30 in November, and there can be no real guarantees about what the future holds, either from the player or club. Although certain players—hello there, James Milner—can remain productive well into their 30’s, most peak and start the decline before then. And for some players, that drop-off can be quite dramatic.

That said, if the sports scientists at Liverpool think Gini has a few more peak or near-peak years left in him, then this news can only be regarded as a good thing.

If an agreement can be reached—and it looks like that might soon be the case—he’ll likely sign a 3 or 4-year extension to 2024 or 2025.

I hope we’ll see that 1000-watt Gini smile around Anfield for years to come.