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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Neil Moxley

Georginio Wijnaldum makes Liverpool contract decision as Barcelona transfer moves closer

Gini Wijnaldum will snub Liverpool's last-ditch efforts to keep him at the club – to fulfil a boyhood dream with Barcelona.

The future of the Dutch international has been up in the air as his contract nears expiry and his switch to Catalonia will happen at the end of the season.

Wijnaldum's ambition was to join the Spanish giants thanks to the Dutch connection with the club and he wants to follow in the footsteps of Johan Cruyff, Ronald Koeman and Frank Rijkaard.

The fact that Koeman is now in charge at the Camp Nou has only stiffened the midfielder's resolve to link up with his compatriot.

Georginio Wijnaldum has made a call on his future (SIPA USA/PA Images)

Dutch sources confirmed his stance, saying: “Barcelona has always been a big draw for him.
"It's a similar situation to when Gareth Bale left Tottenham for Real Madrid in that it is his ultimate destination.”

The Reds are anxious to keep a man who was an integral part of their title-winning triumph last term.

But they themselves strengthened during the last transfer window, bringing in Thiago Alcantara as insurance should Wijnaldum not commit his future to the Merseysiders.

Klopp remained tight lipped when asked for an update on the player's future earlier this month.

The player wants to link up with Ronald Koeman at Barcelona (LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

"I have nothing to say about this," he said.

"I've said how much I like the person and the player. So, there's really nothing else to say about it.

"That's not good or bad news, that's just how it is. If there's a decision you'll know about it.

"Apart from that, there's nothing else to say."

Wijnaldum has won the Premier League and Champions League during his time at Anfield.

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