Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has remained coy over a potential move to Barcelona this summer.
The 29-year-old’s contract with the Premier League champions is due to expire next summer and the midfielder could potentially leave Anfield on a free transfer.
Reports in Spain have claimed this week that Wijnaldum has already agreed to a three-year contract with Barcelona, and the Spanish club are now preparing to submit an offer to Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp’s side are already lining up replacements and are poised to move for Thiago Alcantara, whose contract with Bayern Munich also ends at the end of the season.
Ronald Koeman, who was appointed as Barcelona’s new manager last month, has reportedly made Wijnaldum one of his targets in order to bolster his midfield options. But when asked directly about the possibility of joining Barcelona this summer, Wijnaldum said at a press conference on Thursday: ‘It’s a rumour, I have nothing to say about it.’
Speaking about Koeman’s departure from his role as Netherlands’ head coach to Barcelona, Wijnaldum said: ‘We have taken a path with a trainer. ‘Of course it is a shame that he left, but we are also very happy for him. ‘It can be compared to when you are in such a situation as a player. But we have to move on now.’