Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will need to wait until Barcelona offload Miralem Pjanic before he can seal a move to Camp Nou, according to reports in Spain.
Wijnaldum is believed to be edging closer to joining Barca as the final months of his contract at Anfield run down.
The 30-year-old has been a mainstay in Liverpool’s midfield for five seasons but favours a reunion with his former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman after failing agree new terms with the Reds.
Koeman has made no secret of his admiration for Wijnaldum is targeting him to boost the experience and intensity of his side’s midfield.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
That’s according to Sport , which claims the Dutchman must trim his squad in order to facilitate Wijnaldum’s transfer.
The report adds Koeman does not want to stifle the development of youngsters emerging from La Masia and will look to move Pjanic on this summer.
The Bosnia and Herzegovina international joined from Juventus last year in a part-exchange deal which saw Arthur Melo move the other way.
(Image: Getty Images)
But Pjanic has failed to find the back of the net or provide an assist in 28 Blaugrana appearances and is understood to be surplus to requirements in Catalonia.
The 30-year-old has suitors in France and Italy and Barcelona are reportedly confident of offloading him.
This would pave the way for the La Liga giants to complete their long-awaited free transfer for Wijnaldum.
Is Gini Wijnaldum Liverpool’s best midfielder? Have your say in the comments.
The former Newcastle star was tight-lipped when pressed on his future earlier this week, telling Dutch outlet NOS : “They will always talk about these things but as I’ve said on other occasions, I have no news still.
“They say this in the media but I have no news. When there is I will talk about it, but there isn’t.”
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