Koeman goes public with ‘strong’ desire to land Liverpool star in triple raid Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he wants Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to spearhead an exciting trio of January arrivals. Koeman previously revealed his interest in his fellow Dutchman, claiming he was on Barca’s list of targets. However he has now explained at length why he feels the 29-year-old would be a fantastic signing. He said (via the Daily Mirror): “Our interest for Wijnaldum is strong. “I wanted to bring him here in the summer because he has the ability to make fantastic runs from midfield and turn up in the box at the right moments. “I am convinced he can really add something to the team. But the financial situation of Barcelona was known at his club.” Wijnaldum and Koeman worked together while the latter was manager of the Netherlands national team. Indeed the Reds midfielder has a fantastic international goals record, scoring 15 times in 61 games. Barcelona could not afford a swoop this summer, though, with the club announcing losses of €97million (£88million). The club also blamed the coronavirus pandemic for a €203million (£184million) drop in revenue. The interest in Wijnaldum comes amid the midfielder’s contract nearing an end. He has entered the final year of his Anfield deal, with no sign of an extension on the horizon. As such, the Spanish giants could land a cheaper fee in January, or agree a pre-contract with the midfielder. Subscribe to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter… Koeman also wants Garcia and Depay Meanwhile, Koeman added that he wants Manchester City defender Eric Garcia and Lyon’s Memphis Depay at Barcelona. Both players are in the same contractual situation as Wijnaldum. Koeman said: “There is a chance for sure that we are going to have another go for Garcia. “But right now I cannot know how the finances of the club are in January, so I have to wait and see.” On Depay, the manager added: “Everything was ready, but because of the LaLiga rules we knew we had to sell first before we could sign our targets. “In the end it was not possible. It was disappointing, but Memphis knew how the situation was at Barca.” Barcelona made it two LaLiga games without victory on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat to Getafe. The post Koeman goes public with ‘strong’ desire to land Liverpool star in triple raid appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he wants Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to spearhead an exciting trio of January arrivals.

Koeman previously revealed his interest in his fellow Dutchman, claiming he was on Barca’s list of targets.

However he has now explained at length why he feels the 29-year-old would be a fantastic signing.

He said (via the Daily Mirror): “Our interest for Wijnaldum is strong.

“I wanted to bring him here in the summer because he has the ability to make fantastic runs from midfield and turn up in the box at the right moments.

“I am convinced he can really add something to the team. But the financial situation of Barcelona was known at his club.”

Wijnaldum and Koeman worked together while the latter was manager of the Netherlands national team. Indeed the Reds midfielder has a fantastic international goals record, scoring 15 times in 61 games.

 

 

Barcelona could not afford a swoop this summer, though, with the club announcing losses of €97million (£88million). The club also blamed the coronavirus pandemic for a €203million (£184million) drop in revenue.

The interest in Wijnaldum comes amid the midfielder’s contract nearing an end. He has entered the final year of his Anfield deal, with no sign of an extension on the horizon.

As such, the Spanish giants could land a cheaper fee in January, or agree a pre-contract with the midfielder.

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Koeman also wants Garcia and Depay

Meanwhile, Koeman added that he wants Manchester City defender Eric Garcia and Lyon’s Memphis Depay at Barcelona.

Both players are in the same contractual situation as Wijnaldum.

Koeman said: “There is a chance for sure that we are going to have another go for Garcia.

“But right now I cannot know how the finances of the club are in January, so I have to wait and see.”

On Depay, the manager added: “Everything was ready, but because of the LaLiga rules we knew we had to sell first before we could sign our targets.

“In the end it was not possible. It was disappointing, but Memphis knew how the situation was at Barca.”

Barcelona made it two LaLiga games without victory on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat to Getafe.

The post Koeman goes public with ‘strong’ desire to land Liverpool star in triple raid appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Jonny Whitfield