LIVERPOOL’S Georginio Wijinaldum could be sold to Barcelona as the Reds seek to raise funds to buy Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
Barcelona are on the lookout for midfielders after shipping Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic as part of Ronald Koeman’s rebuild.
Thiago is looking for a new challenge after winning Champions League with Bayern Credit: Getty Images – Getty
New boss Koeman built a relationship with Wijnaldum, 29, when he was manager of the Dutch national team.
During his spell as manager he even made the midfielder captain, for their 5-0 win against Estonia.
Title-winner Wijnaldum has just one year remaining on his Anfield deal and has, so far, not opened talks over an extension.
And the move could work out for both sides with Liverpool needing to raise funds to sign ex-Barca star Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
Thiago, 29, has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield since he expressed his desire to leave the Germans this summer.
Bayern will not stand in the Brazilian’s way and have even recommended that he move to the Premier League.
Their manager Hans-Dieter Flick said when speaking to Bild: “Now he wants the new challenge, in my opinion it should be the Premier League.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shown his admiration for Thiago, labelling him one of the Bundesliga’s great players while he was managing Dortmund.
Talks between the two clubs have stalled as Bayern want around £27million for Thiago, with Liverpool not currently willing to spend that amount.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola says that Thiago Alcantara could easily play in the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
