Gini Wijnaldum has invited interest from both Barcelona and Real Madrid

According to Spanish outlet SPORT (h/t Express), Real Madrid have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutchman is out of contract next summer and will be able to leave Liverpool on a free transfer unless his contract renewed.

Liverpool have apparently offered Wijnaldum a new 3-year contract with increased wages, but he is yet to put pen to paper on it. Wijnaldum’s contract expires in June 2021 and his hesitance to sign a new contract at Liverpool has invited interest from other clubs. (h/t Express)

This means that the 30-year-old would be open to offers from other clubs in January and can sign a pre-agreement to join them on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Barcelona were primed to bid for Wijnaldum last summer after Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara, but Klopp decided not to sell the Dutchman.

With a new contract still not agreed upon and January fast approaching, the Reds must fast-track their negotiations with Wijnaldum if they hope to keep him after this season.

Real Madrid’s manager Zinedine Zidane is said to be concerned about his team’s midfield quality and could battle Barcelona in January to discuss terms with Wijnaldum and his agent about a possible move. (h/t Express)

Wijnaldum has never been injured for Liverpool since he joined us from Newcastle United in the summer of 2016.  This statistic receives heightened importance considering the injury crisis at the club right now.

The Dutchman is one of our most consistent players, having already made 199 appearances for us since his move from Tyneside. Klopp and co. would be wary of the quality and consistency that the club would miss out on if Wijnaldum leaves. Losing our most available player in January would also make little sense considering the injury troubles at the club.

On being asked recently about his future at the club on international duty, Wijnaldum has given very little indication of what decision he is going to make.

“I can’t say anything about that. Just ask Liverpool those questions. Don’t they answer?”

“I cannot say anything about it, including whether or not there is talk of a new contract between me and Liverpool. Sorry.”