Speaking recently on the Here We Go podcast, Fabrizio Romano provided an update on the contract situation of Liverpool midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum.
Since arriving at Liverpool from Newcastle United in what was a £24.75 million deal back in 2016, Wijnaldum has – prior to Wednesday’s fixture against Newcastle – gone on to feature 208 times for the Reds, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists along the way.
So far this season, the £36 million-rated 30-year-old has impressed over his 15 Premier League appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side, scoring one goal and averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.71 – ranking him as the club’s 13th-best performer in the top flight.
However, with the Netherlands international’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, and, as yet, the midfielder having not put pen to paper on a new deal on Merseyside, there is the very real possibility he could be leaving the club on a free transfer come next summer.
This is a situation that Romano, speaking on a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast, provided an update on, with the journalist claiming that Liverpool are still making attempts to ensure that Wijnaldum remains at the club beyond the summer of 2021.
He said: “10 days ago, Gini Wijnaldum received an important bid from Liverpool, but not the right one. Gini was expecting something different. After signing new players last summer, he was expecting something different. Also [with] the money [Liverpool were offering].
“So, he was not immediately convinced and saying, ‘OK, I’m staying. I’m going to sign tomorrow’. So, that’s why he said, ‘OK, I need some time. I need some days, some weeks, to decide with my family’.
“But he was and he is so respectful with Liverpool, because he said, before negotiating with any other club – and I see a lot of rumours about Inter, about Barcelona – he said, ‘Before negotiating with any other club I’m going to decide about [my future at] Liverpool and then going to communicate to Liverpool what I want to do’.
“So, he’s just waiting, considering the bid and deciding if he is staying, or starting negotiations with other clubs. It’s an interesting situation because imagine a free agent like Gini Wijnaldum. So, at the moment, Liverpool are still trying, still hoping to keep their midfielder, and let’s see.”
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TIF Thoughts on Fabrizio Romano’s comments regarding Georginio Wijnaldum’s future at Liverpool…
Considering the fact that Wijnaldum has started all but one of Liverpool’s Premier League games so far this season, prior to their fixture against Newcastle on Wednesday evening, it is unsurprising to hear that the club are still desperately trying to sign the midfielder to a new contract.
However, with just a matter of days before Wijnaldum can start discussing terms with new clubs, at present, it would seem an unlikely scenario that the 30-year-old is still playing his football in Liverpool’s colours as of next season.