Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is set to join Barcelona after coming to the end of his contract at the Reds. Fabrizio Romano reports that the Dutchman will sign a deal until 2024 and will join as a free agent.
Wijnaldum also held talks with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, but always wanted to move to the Spanish giants instead.
Georginio Wijnaldum Set to Join Barcelona
Said Anfield Farewell on Sunday
Even though in the build-up to the game Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp made sure to stress that anything was still possible in the Wijnaldum front, it was clear that he was saying goodbye to the limited crowd that was allowed back in for the final game of the season against Crystal Palace.
The Dutchman was given a guard of honour by his teammates during the celebrations after the match as he went to collect his very own miniature version of Liverpool’s famous Champions Wall, framed for him to keep.
The embraces he received from Klopp and all of his teammates suggested too that this would be the final time he took to the pitch in a Liverpool shirt, as did the social media posts after the game from Liverpool’s players – such as the one from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
While there is still no official word from Liverpool on his departure, the club posted an interview with Wijnaldum in which he stated he would be a “Liverpool supporter for life”, more or less suggesting that he would be on his way soon.
A Liverpool legend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BGvleny9JL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 23, 2021
Koeman Gets His Man
The links with Barcelona have been there pretty much since the start of this season. Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman shares the same nationality as Wijnaldum and has always been intent on bringing the midfielder to the club, even admitting he was on the shortlist prior to the start of this season.
This will be the first big loss that Liverpool have felt in a long time. Wijnaldum has been key in every part of their success under Jurgen Klopp and he will certainly be missed by the Reds faithful. However, it’s a move he deserves after five years of incredible service.
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