Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has admitted he wanted to sign Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum during the summer.
Speculation was rife during the close-season that the 29-year-old - now in the final year of his Anfield contract - was being targeted for a move to the Camp Nou, especially after the former Holland and Everton coach took charge following Barcelona's 8-2 Champions League humiliation by Bayern Munich.
The pair had worked together for the Dutch national team but, despite Jurgen Klopp bolstering his midfield options with the signing of Thiago Alcantara, the transfer window shut with Wijnaldum remaining a Liverpool player.
The former Newcastle man has started all four of Liverpool's Premier League games so far this season but can sign a pre-contract with other European clubs from January 1, 2021.
And Koeman has now admitted Wijnaldum was "on his list" during the summer, which is already leading to speculation he may still be as the prospect of him being available for free draws ever nearer.
Speaking to Dutch media outlet Nos, Koeman discussed the prospect of signing more Dutchman for the Catalan giants after securing the signing of American international Sergino Dest - who has a Dutch father - from Ajax earlier this month.
Koeman admitted he would like a second one "but not eight or nine" and when the interviewer brought up Wijnaldum, Koeman said the player was ‘"on his list".
Wijnaldum started for Holland and played the full 90 minutes in their UEFA Nations League goalless draw away to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday.
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