Barcelona ‘in advanced Georginio Wijnaldum talks over £18m transfer with Liverpool star set for three-year deal’
BARCELONA are in advanced talks over a move for Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum, according to reports in Spain.
The Netherlands international has less than a year remaining on his Reds contract and could leave on a free transfer next summer.
According to , the 29-year-old has now agreed a three-year deal to join Barcelona, who are yet to settle on a fee with Jurgen Klopp's side.
But the LaLiga giants are understood to be hopeful of striking a £17.7million move for the former Newcastle star.
The Catalans are said to view Wijnaldum as a replacement for Ivan Rakitic, who rejoined Sevilla this week, and Inter Milan target Arturo Vidal.
New Barca boss Ronald Koeman built a good relationship with Wijnaldum when he was manager of the Dutch national team.
During his spell as Holland chief, he even made the midfielder captain for their 5-0 win against Estonia.
Yet claim that a deal between the two sides is not imminent and Liverpool are yet to receive contact from Barcelona.
Anfield boss Klopp is thought to be open to offloading Wijnaldum if he does not want to extend his current contract.
And the move could work out for both sides with Liverpool needing to raise funds to sign ex-Barca star Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
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The 29-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Merseyside since he expressed his desire to leave the Germans this summer.
Bayern will not stand in the Brazilian's way and have even recommended that he move to the Premier League.
This has led Manchester United to emerge as another potential destination for the £27million man.
Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in 2013, where he has scored 31 goals in 235 games.
In addition to the Champions League, he has won the Bundesliga title seven times and the German Cup on four occasions.