Report: Coach desperate to buy ‘incredible’ Liverpool ace but age a concern

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Barcelona have concerns over Gini Wijnaldum’s age but Ronald Koeman’s desire to bring the Premier League winner to Barcelona has provided a substantial headache for Liverpool, according to ESPN.

The former Holland boss might have arrived at Camp Nou under pressure to inject youth into a side full of fading stars but his first signing as Barca coach could be a midfielder who turns 30 in November.

Barca are understood to have concerns over Wijnaldum’s longevity at the top level. However, such is Koeman’s passion for the Dutch international the Catalan giants have decided to back their straight-talking coach after his controversy-filled start to life in the hottest of hot seats.

In fact, the one-time Everton and Southampton coach wants Barcelona to “do whatever it takes” to convince Wijnaldum to swap a Liverpool side, which recently won its first league title in 30 years, for a crisis-hit club humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Easier said than done, perhaps.

A £25 million signing from Newcastle United in 2016, Wijnaldum has silenced the doubters to become the epitome of Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy metal football” at Anfield. He presses from the front, controls possession and fills in brilliantly across a variety of roles while popping up with crucial goals.

But, with only one year left on his contract and a renewal proving elusive, Liverpool may be tempted to cash in if Barcelona make an offer in the region of £20 million.

“Wijnaldum seemed the fittest (player on the pitch),” Koeman told VI after the midfielder helped Holland beat England in the Nations League last-four in 2019.

“If you make that impact after such a season, with another Champions League final, that’s actually incredible.”