Georginio Wijnaldum has played down reports of Barcelona’s interest this summer, with the Liverpool midfielder having been strongly linked with a move to the Camp Nou.
Ronald Koeman reportedly identified Wijnaldum as a leading target following his appointment as Barcelona manager earlier this summer, with the Dutchman keen to work alongside a player he previously coached with the Netherlands national side.
Wijnaldum has established himself as a key figure for the Reds since signing from Newcastle four years ago but has now entered the final year of his contract on Merseyside, the 29-year-old able to sign a pre-contract agreement with interested sides in the winter window.
The midfielder admits ‘we will see what happens’ in regards to his long-term future at Anfield as he nears the end of his deal, but has played down Barcelona’s interest in his services this summer, insisting the approach from Catalonia was not ‘that serious’.
Speaking of Barcelona’s reported interest at a press conference ahead of the Netherlands game against Mexico, Wijnaldum said : “I don’t think it was that serious, otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened.
“There was nothing precise. The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool.
“My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change. You never know in football. We will see what happens.”
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