Paul Scholes has questioned why Gini Wijnaldum would leave Liverpool for Barcelona amid uncertainty whether he will agree a new deal at Anfield.
Wijnaldum has been with Liverpool since signing from Newcastle United in 2016 but his contract expires in the summer.
Reds fans will no doubt be keen for the 30-year-old to put pen to paper with the club, having been a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s side that surged to Champions League glory, World Club honours and the Premier League crown.
That was evidenced again on Sunday night as Wijnaldum ran the show at Anfield in a 4-0 demolition of Wolverhampton Wanderers – the midfielder scoring a spectacular second on the night.
Reports in the summer had suggested Spanish giants Barcelona were interested in signing Wijnaldum, and Ronald Koeman keen on linking up with his compatriot at the Nou Camp.
But Manchester United legend Scholes has questioned why he would leave the Premier League champions for a club who appear to be on a steady decline.
“Why would he want to leave this place?” Scholes said on Amazon Prime’s live coverage of the game.
“With the way this team are playing, he’s playing every week.
“I know there was a bit of talk about Barcelona, but it never came off. Why would you want to leave a football club like this? I think they’ll win the league again and it’s just an exciting team to play in.”
Scholes added: “It’s definitely a better option here.
“I think he could be a Barcelona player, don’t get me wrong - I think he could fit into their ways, but they’re struggling, so why leave a place like this?
“Barcelona’s a massive club and the Dutch connection is always gonna be big there, and with Koeman as manager - for how much longer, who knows? You can see that being a temptation for him, but why would you leave such an exciting team?”
