Wijnaldum ‘agrees’ transfer and will sign for Euro giants in ‘next few days’
Georginio Wijnaldum’s move to Barcelona has been agreed after the Liverpool midfielder rejected a switch to Bayern Munich, claims a report.
Well-respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that “a verbal agreement has been reached”. The Dutch star will sign a deal until 2024 “in the next few days” after an emotional goodbye at Anfield. The report claims Barcelona and Wijnaldum’s representatives are working on “reducing” his salary. The 30-year-old was on around £90,000 a week with the Reds.
The offer of a three-year deal at the Camp Nou was probably made with the proviso Wijnaldum would reduce his weekly wage.
The midfielder has proved a fantastic servant to his side since joining from Newcastle in 2016. His arrival from the then-relegated Magpies came as a surprise, but he has proved his doubters wrong. Indeed, he has barely missed a Premier League game and his manager gave him a fitting send-off in Sunday’s programme notes.
Gini Wijnaldum to Barcelona, confirmed and here we go! #FCB
The verbal agreement has been reached, Wijnaldum is joining Barça until June 2024. He’s expected to sign his contract in the next few days – work in progress to complete the deal reducing Gini’s salary. https://t.co/TlqznhJfBh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 26, 2021
Wijnaldum tweeted: “What an emotional rollercoaster the last few days. I’ve received so many great messages from fans, players and friends all over the world. Thank you all so much.
“Thank you for everything, I will miss you.”
Wijnaldum’s contract expires next month and Liverpool seemingly had no desire to push through a late renewal.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Late Bayern move fails
Barcelona appeared for many months to be in pole position to land the midfielder, though financial difficulties and uncertainty over fellow countryman Ronald Koeman’s managerial position left the deal in flux.
PSG reportedly registered their interest last week, but Bayern Munich also joined the mix.
The Daily Mail (citing Sport1) noted that the Bavarian giants had held talks with the midfielder’s representatives.
Adding further fuel to the fire, the player himself was said to be ‘keen’ on the switch.
Wijnaldum’s representative, Humphry Nijman, recently opened the door to the Bundesliga champions.
Nijman told Meine Bayern-Woche (via the Daily Mail): “FC Bayern is a great club. If you are interested in them, please do not hesitate to talk to us.”
Wijnaldum though had his heart set on Barcelona and a deal is expected to be announced this week.
READ MORE: Transfer brakes slammed on as Liverpool muscle in on Germans for £2m wonderkid
The post Wijnaldum ‘agrees’ transfer and will sign for Euro giants in ‘next few days’ appeared first on TEAMtalk.