Liverpool star’s Barcelona transfer ‘by no means a given’

Georginio Wijnaldum TEAMtalk

Liverpool contract rebel Georginio Wijnaldum is by no means guaranteed a transfer to Barcelona this summer, according to a report.

The Holland midfielder was courted by Barca last summer and new boss Ronald Koeman admitted he would like to sign the midfielder.

A deal never materialised though in the the delayed summer transfer window and the 30-year-old’s future remains in doubt.

Wijnaldum will be out of contract at the end of the season. The Reds want him to stay after his stellar contribution to their recent success.

However, the Anfield moneymen have not been able to agree a new deal and Fabrizio Romano has claimed the situation is “complicated.”

The Netherlands international joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016. Rarely injured, he has made over 200 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals, including 16 in the Premier League.

The Merseysiders offered him a new deal back in December but he has yet to put pen to paper.

And now the Liverpool Echo claim “a move to Barcelona is by no means a given”.

The local paper concedes that the champions may well have been negotiating since the turn of the year over a pre-contract agreement for Wijnaldum.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has left Barca in a tricky financial situation and they have been struggling to put a package together for Eric Garcia.

Wijnaldum was asked about Leipzig’s chances of overturning the 2-0 deficit against the Reds.

“Well, of course we have a big chance to go to the next round,” he told the club’s website.

 

Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool game plan against RB Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool game plan against RB Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp was delighted his Liverpool players were able to force RB Leipzig into mistakes and ‘put it all together’ for their first victory in four matches in all competitions.

 

“But it’s the Champions League – we showed a few years ago already what can happen even if you are 3-0 down.

“They will think the same: ‘OK, we lost the game 2-0 but we can change it away.’ So what we have to do is be focused and be aware that it can change.”

Wijnaldum guarded

Liverpool’s win over Leipzig was a welcome one after winning just two Premier League games in their last 10.

“Really pleased,” added Wijnaldum.

“We also had [it] in a couple of games this season that we played well but didn’t win at the end of the game.

“So to play a good game and to win the game as well gives you a good feeling, a lot of good feelings. And also confidence again because now you get rewarded for the game.

“Every game is a totally different game, so we just have to lift it up every game and give our all.

“But the win was welcome and we are happy we could win this game.

“But in three weeks we have to play them again and it’s a difficult team to play against.

“You saw the way they were playing, it’s still tricky so we just have to lift it up again and put a good performance in.”

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