Wijnaldum Asks Liverpool for Time to Decide on Future

The midfielder will become a free agent in the summer.

Gini Wijnaldum’s contract with Liverpool expires at the end of
the season and what that means for the club and the midfielder is
still up in the air. We know that the Reds are interested in
extending Wijnaldum’s time at the club, we know that Klopp has
expressed his interest in Wijnaldum staying at the club, we know
that Koeman and Barcelona (probably) want to see him move. What
we’re still waiting to find out is what Gini wants to do.

What we do know is that Liverpool have put forward a new
contract as of the beginning of December, but there’s clearly not
enough money on offer to convince Wijnaldum to immediately sign on
to stay at the club. Wijnaldum can begin speaking with other clubs
in January and, per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, has asked
the club for a bit more time to reflect on the offer before he
decides whether or not he wants to stay with Liverpool.

It makes sense that Gini’s trying to play this slow. Koeman’s
future at Barcelona isn’t exactly set in stone and it makes sense
to wait to see what other clubs have to offer in terms of wages
before he makes any decisions either way. What’s heartening for
Liverpool—especially right now in the season of injuries and
chaos—is that he hasn’t actually rejected the offer the club has
made. Fingers crossed he chooses to stay on (and that Liverpool
have made him a good enough offer) and we don’t need to keep our
eyes out for someone to replace him in January.