Georginio Wijnaldum’s transfer has proven to be a shrewd bit of business by Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
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The Netherlands international moved to Anfield from Newcastle in the summer of 2016 for a fee of £25m after just one season at St. James Park, and has since become a regular for the former Borussia Dortmund manager. In those three years, he has made 166 appearances for the Reds, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists. In each of the past three terms, he has featured in at least 30 Premier League matches, and he also started the Champions League final last season against Tottenham in Madrid.
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However, there are rumours that his time in the north-west could be coming to and end. That is according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, at least. The journalist is reporting that the 29-year-old could leave the club at the end of this season, with him having just one year left on his contract at the point.
Many would likely be sad to see him leave. He has made one of the spots in Klopp’s midfield his own, and he has been with the side almost since the very start of the 52-year-old’s revolution. Having said that, it may just be the perfect time for the ex-PSV man to depart.
With him now entering his 30th year, he is likely to be on the wane in terms of his performances very soon. Currently valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, he would still command a considerable fee for the club, which could be invested in other areas. His contract will run out in 2021, meaning that the summer would be the last realistic chance for Liverpool to sell him on.
Not only that, but Naby Keita’s recent form indicates that Wijnaldum would not be missed too much. In his last four starts in the Premier League and Champions League, he has averaged a WhoScored rating of 8.29, and he has three goals and one assist in his last six appearances in all competitions.
It finally seems he is beginning to hit his stride since making the switch from RB Leipzig, and his attacking threat – with just three goals in 27 matches this term, that is not something that Wijnaldum appears to possess currently for his club – could give Liverpool an extra edge. A new midfielder may be needed if the former Toon player were to leave, but it would surely only be a back-up that would be required.
Wijnaldum has been a fantastic servant, and hopefully he can add a league title to that European trophy he has already picked up. However, there must always be signs of progress, and it feels as though his time in red may be coming to an end. If a substantial fee is offered in a few months, Liverpool should consider accepting it.
In other news, Liverpool fans love this man’s Everton performance.
