Barcelona target Gini Wijnaldum will “probably” leave Premier League champions Liverpool next year with his contract expiring in the summer, Anfield legend John Aldridge has told the Liverpool Echo.
Jurgen Klopp finds himself in a strange position when it comes to the experienced Netherlands international’s future.
On one hand, Liverpool have little choice but to prepare for life post-Gini, with Le10 Sport suggesting Lille playmaker Renato Sanches has been lined up as a long-term replacement.
On the other hand, Wijnaldum remains one of the first names on Klopp’s team sheet.
The dependable Dutchman has played 90 minutes in all but one of Liverpool’s 14 Premier League games so far, with Saturday’s 7-0 dismantling of Crystal Palace ensuring the Reds will be four points clear at Christmas.
Liverpool haven’t given up hope of retaining Wijnaldum’s services but, as Aldridge points out, all the power is in the midfielder’s hands with just eight months of his £75,000-a-week deal remaining.
“You don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with Gini Wijnaldum,” says the 1988 First Division winner.
“Agents are hard to deal with. Gini is in an ideal position now. His contract is running out. He’s going to be free.
“He still loves Liverpool, I’m sure. But there are going to be reasons behind it. Only he knows. If Gini wants to go, he’ll go. It’s as simple as that.
“It’s all in Gini’s court. Will the club push the boat out and give him what he wants? I don’t know. We’ll have to watch this space and trust the manager.
“But, if he wants to go, he’ll probably go.”
Barcelona have been heavily linked with the all-action 30-year-old who shone under Camp Nou boss Ronald Koeman at international level.
Tuttomercatoweb, meanwhile, reports Inter Milan have now joined the race with Antonio Conte tending to build his sides around reliable, experienced performers such as Liverpool’s number five.
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