On Monday, Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman admitted that Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum was a player he had wanted the club to sign over the summer. Today, perhaps unsurprisingly, we have a new round of rumours as a result.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the club’s failures to bring in reinforcements in the summer market could be corrected in January, with Wijnaldum targeted along with Lyon forward Memphis Depay and Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia.
Garcia is said to be viewed as a potential long-term signing for the Catalans, while Depay’s would be dependant on finding a willing taker for Ousmane Dembele and his wages, and Wijnaldum is seen as a potential bargain due to his expiring contract.
However, Wijnaldum has recently signalled that he is committed to Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool for the 2020-21 season, and it seems doubtful the Reds would be interested in whatever small fee he might fetch in January if he is happy to remain.
Unless the player finds himself down the pecking order and without minutes over the next few months, it’s difficult to imagine Wijnaldum going anywhere mid-season—though signing a pre-contract in January wouldn’t be out of the question.