Georginio Wijnaldum: ‘Nothing concrete’ in Barcelona talks as Liverpool contract continues to run down

Netherlands midfielder played down the strength of Barcelona’s interest in the summer but has not committed his future to Liverpool and could sign a pre-contract elsewhere from January

Georginio Wijnaldum played down a move to Barcelona in the summer (Reuters)

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has played down reports linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The 29-year-old was reported to be one of Ronald Koeman's primary targets in the close season but Wijnaldum said there was "nothing concrete".

"I don't think it was that serious," he said. "Otherwise you would have read a bit more, or more would have happened.

"The way it looks now, I will stay in Liverpool. My contract is valid for another 10 months and that can change. You never know in football."

Wijnaldum has played in all four of Liverpool's Premier League games this season, but under his current terms he is free to negotiate a move away from Anfield from January should any European clubs make a move for the Netherlands international.

Wijnaldum held positive talks with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp last month over his future, and insisted that his focus remains on helping the side retain their Premier League trophy.

That campaign took a blow at the weekend in the form of the 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa, but Wijnaldum said that they must use that unfamiliar experience to press on for the rest of the season.

"We have to go on with that," he added. "Of course, it was a painful experience that we are not accustomed to in Liverpool.

"But it happened and we have to learn from it. Now I am here and hopefully we will achieve good results and simply go on with it."

Reuters