Lionel Messi’s role in Barcelona’s attempt to land Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has been detailed by Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman was a prime target for the Spanish side over the summer but a move never materialised.
While the club captain was linked with a dramatic move away from the Nou Camp before performing a U-turn.
And Koeman, who has won two of his first four games in charge at Barca, has detailed how Messi’s exit could have changed the summer for the Reds midfielder.
Speaking to Dutch outlet Algemeen Dagblad , the Barca boss said: “In my mind, I always assumed that he [Messi] would stay.
“If Messi had left, it would've opened up a completely different situation.
“Our interest in Wijnaldum, in any case, was separate from [Messi]. In general, I think our squad could've done with a bit more depth, especially without the ball.
“Gini has great spatial awareness. He can get into the box fantastically well from the middle of the park. He really could've brought something to the team.
“But the club knew the economic situation. [Wijnaldum]'s position was less of a priority in the end than, for example, a right-back or centre-forward.”
Wijnaldum has been at Anfield for five seasons, making nearly 200 appearances on the way to Champions League and Premier League glory.
But Jurgen Klopp’s decision with the midfielder in the latest Merseyside derby may have answered a big question over the Dutchman’s future at Liverpool.
His job of getting into the starting XI was made more difficult with the arrival of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich over the summer.
And Wijnaldum has given an honest take on the Spaniard’s arrival, suggesting he was up for competing with the Champions League winner.
If Barcelona do move in, though, they may also be looking to swoop in on another Premier League player this January.
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