Jurgen Klopp ‘urges Liverpool hierarchy to offer Gini Wijnaldum another new contract extension’ … with the Dutch midfielder getting a chance to speak to foreign clubs from next month before moving for free
- Gini Wijnaldum’s contract at Liverpool is expected to expire in the summer of 2021
- Previous talks have not led to expansion but all hope is still dashed
- Jurgen Klopp is keen to keep the 30-year-old instead of looking for a replacement
- Barcelona were interested in signing Wijnaldum and could move again next year
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will tell the club’s hierarchy to try one last time to agree a contract extension with out-of-contract midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.
The Dutch international, who has been an integral part of a Klopp – winning juggernaut in the last two years, is allowed to speak to foreign clubs from January 1 about signing a notice when they will leave on free transfer next summer.
However, Klopp is desperate to keep the 30-year-old and even though it means offering a pay rise, the German will urge FSG owners and sports director Michael Edwards to try to agree an extension, which according to Eurosport.
Gini Wijnaldum’s contract at Liverpool expires next summer and he has yet to agree an extension
Jurgen Klopp is reportedly urging the club’s hierarchy to try one last time to negotiate a contract.
The report notes that Wijnaldum’s importance during the Reds ’recent injury crisis has shown his continued importance to the first-team squad, especially as the Reds still miss summer stars signing Thiago Alcantara .
Klopp reportedly thinks it makes more sense to offer the midfield linchpin a new contract, rather than look for another one elsewhere.
The Dutchman could not agree on terms in the final stage of negotiations but there is still about two weeks to lose a new offer, before Wijnaldum can agree a pre-contract abroad.
Barcelona, coached by former Wijnaldum coach with national team Ronald Koeman, had a lot of interest last summer and are still a potential destination.
Despite the turmoil of the contract, Wijnaldum has remained a standout player for Liverpool this season, starting 11 of the Reds ’Premier League 12 game.
Wijnaldum won a stunning display and made a stunning display when Liverpool beat the Wolves on 6 December
Wijnaldum had an uncertain future in the summer when Liverpool moved for Thiago Alcantara
He scored a brilliant goal in the 4-0 win over Wolves on 6 December, with Klopp later confirming that he wanted a former Newcastle man to stay.
‘I hope (that he stays),’ Klopp said. ‘You can see he’s playing all the time, he’s playing long when he’s on the pitch. We have a very good relationship. ‘
Wijnaldum has been at Anfield for four and a half years, since moving into a £ 25m contract from Newcastle in the summer of 2016 – he was one of Klopp’s first big names.