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Georginio Wijnaldum has reportedly agreed to the terms to join Barcelona for a free transfer before next season.
The news appears to end speculation on whether the midfielder will sign a new contract at Liverpool with his current contract set to expire this summer.
The Reds had been keen to keep the 30-year-old, with Jurgen Klopp having described Wijnaldum as his most consistent player.
He has started 27 of Liverpool’s 29 Premier League games this season – and has come as a substitute in the other two.
But Wijnaldum will leave Anfield this summer, having reached a pre-contract deal with Barcelona, according to the Sunday Times.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Netherlands international has been linked with a move to Barca since last summer, when his former national team boss Ronald Koeman took charge of Camp Nou.
It is believed the La Liga giants could not afford to make a move for Wijnaldum while still under contract at Liverpool, with the Catalan club feeling the pinch in the wake of the pandemic.
But now they’re ready to take it down for nothing once this season is over, with Wijnaldum supposedly wishing for a new challenge.
Wijnaldum’s expected exit will force Klopp to plan accordingly for next season, as the midfielder has played a crucial role in Liverpool’s success in the Premier League and Champions League over the past two seasons.
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For much of the Reds’ charge to European and national glory, Klopp favored Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho as his engine room of choice.
But the manager has been unable to field the three together in midfield this season, with Henderson and Fabinho having often occupied the center half amid a crippling injury crisis.
If Wijnaldum leaves, Klopp will have a new look in midfield next season, having signed Thiago Alcantara last summer.
Liverpool have been linked with Renato Sanches from Lille, Yves Bissouma from Brighton, Rodrigo de Paul from Udinese and Florian Neuhaus from Borussia Monchengladbach as potential replacements for Wijnaldum.
Klopp could also look to Curtis Jones, who has played a bigger role this season, while the Reds boss could also choose to play Diogo Jota as an attacking midfielder following a brief experience earlier this season.
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