Chelsea have reportedly shown an interest in signing Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, who is a transfer target for FC Barcelona.
According to a report from Spanish publication Marca, Barcelona have been joined by Chelsea in the race to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in the summer transfer window.
Wijnaldum, 30, has become an integral member of this Liverpool side under Jurgen Klopp since arriving from Newcastle United in 2016. However, his time at Anfield seems to be drawing to a close as his contract is set to run out at the end of the season and talks of a renewal not going anywhere.
Barcelona have been linked with a move for Wijnaldum ever since Ronald Koeman took over the reins as the manager last summer. And while a move did not materialise back then, it could this year with the Dutchman said to have already reached a verbal agreement over a free transfer at the end of the season.
Even though Barcelona have denied those claims, the aforementioned report claims that the Catalans remain interested in landing the 30-year-old Wijnaldum but are set to face competition from several clubs from across Europe, including Liverpool’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The Blues’ interest in the Dutchman comes off as a bit strange considering that they have a stockpile of central midfielders already at their disposal. N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho are vying for the two starting spots in Thomas Tuchel’s side, with Billy Gilmour waiting in the wings for his opportunity as well.
However, Jorginho has flirted with the idea of a return to Italy of late, which could potentially open up a place in the ranks for a new midfielder. And considering Wijnaldum’s experience at the highest level and his free-agent status, he would make an appealing target for the west Londoners, provided there was a departure of a midfielder from the club.
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Apart from Chelsea, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus will also be vying for Wijnaldum’s signature when his contract with Liverpool runs out. The Reds themselves are still working to try and get him to sign an extension. However, the report adds that Barcelona are leading the rest of the clubs in pursuit of the Netherlands international.
For the longest time, it had seemed like Wijnaldum would be on his way to Barcelona in the summer. But, with the prospect of a transfer to Chelsea popping up, it remains to be seen whether the former Newcastle United man decides to stay put in the Premier League or move to La Liga.
