Barcelona Reportedly Preparing Bid for Liverpool Midfielder Gini Wijnaldum

Regardless of whether or not Gini leaves Liverpool, I do not
miss Barcelona’s protracted transfer media circus.

It hasn’t even been a week since Barcelona was first linked with
Georginio Wijnaldum, but Barca’s relentless
transfer rumor mill can get straight in the bin. Of course, we’ve
seen it all before, with Philippe Coutinho’s contentious and drawn-out
saga being the most recent example.

First Barca “leak” stories to local media outlets, even going so
far as naming a (lowball) price for the player. Then these leaks
intensify. Perhaps current or former players will come forward,
talking about what a good fit Gini would be. All without, you know,
even contacting Liverpool Football Club.

It’s how Barcelona do business. Whereas Liverpool prefer to do
most of their business behind closed doors, often only announcing a
move once it’s completed, Barca love the circus. It’s even part of
their strategy.

The upshot of all of this is that Barcelona almost certainly
want Wijnaldum. Perhaps they want one of the best midfielders in
the world. Or maybe they want to be reminded about the Miracle of
Anfield every day. Who could blame them?

Today, reliable journalists on the Liverpool end like and confirmed that Barcelona are
interested and that Liverpool are expecting to receive an offer for
the player. Well, go on then, Barca. Shit or get off the pot. Don’t
tell us you’re going to offer something, do it already.

So, will an offer mean that Gini’s gone? Bascombe wasn’t
convinced that Wijnaldum was definitely out the door. He reports
that while Gini would be happy to stay on Merseyside, and that the
club still see him as a valuable player they’d be happy to keep for
the current season before seeing him leave on a free. Though of
course that all could be meant as a simple we don’t have to sell
message to force Barcelona’s pending bid up.

Personally, I’d love to see Gini stay both now and in the
foreseeable future. But if Barca want to offer an aging midfielder
loads of money, that’s their business.