Georginio Wijnaldum has denied reaching an agreement with Barcelona over a summer move.
The Liverpool player made these comments, a day after the Catalan media dismissed these claims on Monday.
FcInterNews reported on Tuesday Barcelona are a ‘serious’ candidate for the midfielder, while Inter Milan are also planning to make a concrete attempt ‘in weeks’.
‘Wijnaldum Depay very close’ is splashed on the front page of Sport and they further add Barcelona have ‘already approved’ signing the Reds star and Lyon’s Memphis Depay.
The La Liga side’s plans for the next season are ‘well advanced in the absence of the new board of directors giving the OK to the movements that have been made in recent months’.
The former Newcastle United man’s name was on the table at the Camp Nou last summer, but the Reds asked for a lot of money.
In the event a deal is agreed, Wijnalduim is expected to sign a three-year contract. The 30-year-old is ‘necessary’ for the former Everton manager.
Earlier reports suggested the Dutchman’s arrival could have an impact on some of the Barca youngsters’ playing time.
Koeman, however, feels otherwise and believes his compatriot’s signing can bolster Barca’s midfield. He is also of the belief the Blaugrana will need experienced players to compete in Europe and Wijnaldum can help in that department.
Sport also focuses on the latest quotes made by Jürgen Klopp’s man. They state that despite his comments, the ‘reality is that he has everything agreed with Barça while waiting for the club to ratify his contract’.
Wijnaldum will have to wait because the new sporting leaders of Barcelona must soon advance with their plans.
The Camp Nou side are aware the Liverpool player can be an ‘interesting’ option, but his signing can only be completed if one of their midfielders leaves in the summer. Therefore, Wijnaldum’s arrival ‘would depend on departures’.
