Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has addressed the speculation surrounding his future at Anfield and insists there was ‘nothing concrete’ in the rumours he was set to join Barcelona this summer.
Netherlands international Wijnaldum has developed into a key player for Jurgen Klopp’s side since singing from Newcastle United in 2016,
The 29-year-old is closing in on 200 appearances for Liverpool and helped the club win the Premier League title last season and the Champions League in 2019.
Over the summer, Wijnaldum emerged as a target for Spanish giants Barcelona, with new manager Ronald Koeman keen to sign a player he worked with while in charge of the Netherlands.
Responding to the speculation, Wijnaldum said: ‘I don’t think it was that serious, otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened.
‘There was nothing precise. The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool.
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‘My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change. You never know in football. We will see what happens.’
Wijnaldum has played in all four of Liverpool’s Premier League matches this season but it is unclear whether he will sign a contract extension at Anfield.
The Dutch star was one of a number of Liverpool players to be criticised following their extraordinary 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.
Following the loss, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: ‘You have to say that Villa did very well. They were very physical, very smart and very direct, we were not.
‘We had big chances which we did not use, but when you concede seven I’m not sure you can say it would have been 7-7.
‘We made too many mistakes and massive ones obviously. It started with the first goal and around the goals we made massive mistakes.’
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