Liverpool

Liverpool: Simon Hughes assesses Georginio Wijnaldum exit rumours

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Image for Liverpool: Simon Hughes assesses Georginio Wijnaldum exit rumours

Liverpool journalist Simon Hughes has been sharing his thoughts on Reds midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and his future at the Merseyside club. 

This comes after Hughes recently made an appearance on the latest episode of The Athletic’s Liverpool-themed podcast The Red Agenda, where he spoke about a number of topics concerning Jurgen Klopp’s side.

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After it was recently reported by The Times that Wijnaldum has chosen to leave Liverpool at the end of the season to join Barcelona, Hughes had this to say on the matter.

He said: “I wasn’t part of these conversations, these phone calls that were made, but I know some colleagues from The Athletic did make contact with both clubs, and both clubs denied that there is an agreement in place at this moment in time.

“Now, of course, you take [their] word on that, there might be an agreement between them to deny everything – that does happen in football. I remember when Emre Can left Liverpool and the place that he was going to, Juventus, it wasn’t really made public until he played his last game for Liverpool and I think it suits the clubs to have it like that, I think, at the moment.

“But it seems to me, his contract’s up in three months’ time, I would be astonished if suddenly Liverpool decided to offer the money that it seems his agent wants.

“For me, I would be majorly surprised if he played for Liverpool next season.”

Liverpool signed Wijnaldum back in the 2016 summer transfer window from fellow Premier League side Newcastle United for a fee of £24.75 million.

Since his arrival at Anfield, the 30-year-old, who is currently valued at £31.5 million, has made a total of 226 appearances for the Reds across all competitions in which he has managed to score 22 goals and provide 16 assists along the way (per Transfermarkt).

Would you be disappointed if Wijnaldum leaves Liverpool this summer?

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TIF Thoughts on Simon Hughes’ comments on Wijnaldum…

Given how Wijnaldum has made more appearances (29) than any other Liverpool player alongside Andy Robertson in the Premier League so far this season, this suggests just how important he is for Klopp and the team.

However, with his current deal with the Reds set to expire at the end of June, it would seem unlikely that he will sign a new contract before then and continue his journey at the club.

Moving forward, if the Dutchman does end up saying goodbye to the club this summer, Liverpool will have to sign a new midfielder that can fill the void left by Wijnaldum’s absence that can be as reliable as he has been for them this season.

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