The Catalan media have been insistent for a few days that Barcelona interest in Georginio Wijnaldum is genuine, and a transfer is possible in the coming weeks.
With a Liverpool contract lasting until the end of June 2021, and no renewal seeming imminent, Barcelona believe they’re in a strong position to sign the midfielder for €25m or less.
Wednesday’s edition of Sport said Wijnaldum had given his ‘OK’ to the move, so it’s just a case of Ronald Koeman’s club reaching an agreement with the Premier League champions.
De Telegraaf now takes a look at the practicalities of the potential transfer, as well as talking up a move generally. They say there’s interest from English clubs, as well as from sides in Serie A and the Bundesliga.
Even if Barcelona or any other interested club agree a deal for Wijnaldum quickly, they’re going to have to wait until the current international break is over to hold a medical.
The Netherlands squad is in a bubble, and because of that the players aren’t subject to usual quarantine rules. For example, as it stands, Wijnaldum wouldn’t have to quarantine on his return to the UK.
De Telegraaf explain: ‘FC Barcelona will only be able to present him next Tuesday at the earliest. The Oranje player is not even allowed to leave the ‘bubble’ to get a medical examination by a potential new employer. In that case, Wijnaldum would fall under the applicable corona quarantine measures and would no longer be an exception, with all the adverse consequences this entails.’
