New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman could take advantage of the impasse between Georginio Wijnaldum and Liverpool regarding the midfielder’s Anfield future.

The 29-year-old Wijnaldum has less than a year remaining on his Liverpool contract and surprisingly, talks have yet to begin regarding an extension.

According to Dutch outlet AD, Koeman has told Wijnaldum not to sign an extension at Anfield as he lines up a move to bring the midfielder to the Nou Camp.

Koeman and Wijnaldum have worked closely together in the Dutch national team, with Wijnaldum an ever-present in the international fold.

And after being confirmed as Barcelona manager on Wednesday, Koeman will oversee a dramatic summer overhaul at the Nou Camp as he picks up the pieces following their astonishing 8-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

There is expected to be a large number of outgoings at Barcelona this summer, with Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all facing uncertain futures.

Wijnaldum could represent an enticing deal for the Catalan club – with only a year remaining on his contract, they might be hopeful of swooping for him on a cut-price agreement in the present transfer window.

Failing that, if Wijnaldum doesn’t agree to an extension at Liverpool, Barcelona can sign him for free on pre-contract terms from January.

Wijnaldum joined Liverpool in a £25million move from Newcastle in 2016 and has won the Premier League and the Champions League.

The No 5 has made a total of 186 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 19 times and his two most famous goals came against Barcelona.

His double helped the Reds overturn a 3-0 deficit in the Champions League semi-final at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp’s men running out 4-0 winners in 2019 on their way to winning the competition.

source:- fcnaija