Liverpool offer Gini Wijnaldum a new contract with a big wage increase to block Barcelona move
Barcelona was pursuing some stars from their shortlist with Ronald Koeman leading the transition and reconstruction of the club. Veteran players like Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic left the club this summer which left a void in the first-team squad.
Barcelona tried to sign Gini in this summer
Koeman tried to fill these empty spots venturing into the transfer market and taking actions as soon as possible but the budget was an obstacle to make a free choice. The manager wished to bring in fellow Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool to bolster the midfield and increase the squad depth.
The speculation continued for a long time but Barcelona did not lodge a proper bid for the player due to the economical barrier and high asking price. However, the Catalan outfit has noticed that the midfielder is available for free in the following summer transfer break and willing to snap him up. Liverpool had signed Gini back in 2016 and have utilized the player well in his central role under Jurgen Klopp. They do want Wijnaldum to stay at the Merseyside club and continue his career at Anfield.
Inter Milan to fight for Wijnaldum with Barcelona
According to reports from Express, Liverpool has presented a 3-year-deal with a salary hike from 75,000 pounds per week to 105,000 pounds to Wijnaldum so that he stays put. However, the chances seem quite low with the increasing interest in the player. Serie A side Inter Milan is joining Barca in the race for the Dutch International, as per Calciomerato. With Gini playing down the talks of a new contract offer towards the defending Premier League champions, it seems he is looking forward to greener pastures. Antonio Conte initially targetted N’golo Kante but he is not available as informed by Chelsea.
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It seems Thiago Alcantara’s signing in the summer transfer break has created an opening for Wijnaldum to leave the club for good and pursue his rest of the career elsewhere. Barcelona is a lucrative choice for the midfielder where can fit in well with the tactics of former national team manager Ronald Koeman. Also, he is set to get more playtime which will help him continue his prime despite being 30-years-old. Barca needs to fight with the Nerazzurri for his signature who have players to sell and make way for Gini. Koeman will try to lure him to Camp Nou and hold an upper advantage in the transfer battle.
