Klopp intervenes with showdown talks over Liverpool contract stalemate

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will hold talks with Georginio Wijnaldum on Wednesday over his open-ended contract situation, according to a report.

Wijnaldum has entered the final year of his Anfield deal, but there has yet to be a development over his future.

As is stands, the midfielder will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January. Indeed, Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is a strong admirer of his fellow Dutchman.

Contract talks between Liverpool and Wijnaldum reportedly fell through earlier this year and, according to the Daily Mail, Klopp will now intervene.

The German will sit down with the midfielder at Melwood on Wednesday to discuss the 29-year-old’s thoughts and plans.

The newspaper also claims, though, that Wijnaldum has offered no indication of wanting to leave.

Wijnaldum has proved a fantastic addition to Klopp’s trophy-laden side. Indeed, no Reds midfielder played more minutes than the Dutchman in the Premier League last season.

He has scored 19 goals for the club, including three in Champions League semi-finals.

 

 

Asked about the player’s future at a recent press conference, though, Klopp refused to open up on the situation.

He said: “That’s an open contract situation, obviously. Otherwise, you would know. And that means we don’t talk about that. I never did in press conferences so why should I change that?

“It’s all between us and the player, it’s all good in the moment. All fine. Gini looked very good in pre-season, played a couple of good seasons for us.

“So that’s all I can say about that.”

Wijnaldum will likely feature in Liverpool‘s opening game of the new season on Saturday. Newly-promoted Leeds are the visitors to Anfield.

THIAGO DEAL REPORTEDLY IN DOUBT

Reports have indicated that, should Wijnaldum leave, Thiago Alcantara could step into his role.

The Bayern Munich midfielder looks likely to leave the German champions and, like Wijnaldum, has entered the final year of his deal.

However, while Liverpool are allegedly keen, one transfer expert believes there is “no way” a deal will happen.

Read more…