Gini Wijnaldum’s transfer to Barcelona is all but confirmed. Reliable reports say only salary details and a medical check remains before the Dutch midfielder becomes the first signing of the second Joan Laporta era.
Wijnaldum said his goodbyes to his fellow team mates and the 10,000 Liverpool fans in attendance last Sunday as he nears a move to Barcelona.
With the player out of contract on June 30th, Barcelona will be able to sign Wijnaldum without having to pay a transfer fee. A renewal never looked to be on the table and Wijnaldum’s agents were pictured in Barcelona last week as they met with Barcelona representatives to negotiate a transfer. Reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano says a verbal agreement has already been reached and that Wijnaldum will sign a three year deal with the Catalan club. Fabrizio Romano also says that Bayern Munich were interested in acquiring Wijnaldum, but that the player himself ultimately chose Barcelona.
Wijnaldum is currently in Lagos, Portugal, as he and the Dutch national team are making their final preparations for the upcoming Euros. Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona will be sending over their medical staff to Portugal in order to complete Wijnaldum’s routine medical check.
Wijnaldum was on Barcelona’s radar already last season, but the club’s financial crises prevented the transfer from materialising. The Dutch midfielder is a favourite of current Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, who himself has had his postition put in doubt as he only managed to lead the team to a disappointing 3rd place in La Liga. Signing Wijnaldum could be a sign of confidence from Joan Laporta.
Gini Wijnaldum has been one of Jürgen Klopp’s most trusted men since he signed from Newcastle in the summer of 2016. He’s appeared in a total of 237 games, including 37 out of 38 times in Liverpool’s title winning 2019/20 Premier League campaign. In his last season he also became one of the four club captains.
“He is an architect of our success. We have built this Liverpool on his legs, lungs, brain and his huge, beautiful heart,” Klopp said after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Barcelona’s financial difficulties has seen the club president attempting to strengthen the squad by targeting players on expiring contracts. Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Lyon’s Memphis Depay are also reportedly close to joining the La Liga giants on free transfers.
