BARCELONA icon Hristo Stoichkov has dubbed Georginio Wijnaldum “the next No8” of the LaLiga giants.
The Dutch midfielder has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou, with just a year left on his Liverpool contract.
Hristo Stoichkov posted a photo of himself and Georginio Wijnaldum from after the 2019 Champions League finalCredit: Instagram @hristo8oficial
Reports suggest personal terms have been agreed between the player and Barcelona.
There is not said to be any movement in negotiations over a transfer fee with the Premier League champions.
On Saturday night, however, Stoichkov appeared to welcome Wijnaldum to his old side.
Accompanying an Instagram photo of himself with the 29-year-old, he wrote: “The next number-8 of my dear Barca.”
Stoichkov, 54, spent seven years with the Catalan club over two spells in the 1990s.
He won five LaLiga titles and a European Cup as well as the 1994 Ballon d’Or.
New Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman is thought to have enjoyed a good relationship with Wijnaldum during his time as Netherlands boss.
The Blaugrana are hoping to improve their squad after the expected sales of Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal, following Ivan Rakitic out the exit door.
And it is said a £17.7million bid may be enough to tempt Liverpool into a sale, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly happy to accept Wijnaldum’s departure if he wants a new challenge.
The Reds could use the transfer as a means to free up space for Thiago Alcantara.
Touted as a long-term target for a £27m move from Bayern Munich, the Spaniard’s future remains far from certain amid rival interest from Manchester United.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
