Barcelona, Inter Milan's $33M Target Midfielder Turns Down Liverpool's New Offer: Report

Liverpool's key midfielder, Gini Wijnaldum, who is being chased by other top European clubs such as FC Barcelona and Inter Milan, has reportedly rejected a new contract offer from the Reds.

Wijnaldum, whose current deal with Liverpool is due to expire in the summer of 2021, wants to continue his career with the Anfield side but believes his salary should compare more favorably with the club's top earners, Sky Sports reported, citing unnamed sources. International Business Times could not verify it independently.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted on a number of occasions that he wants to retain the 30-year-old, who has played in all 17 of Liverpool's Premier League games this season. He has been a vital cog at Liverpool since his $33 million arrival in 2016 from Newcastle United.

Ahead of the 2020-21 season, Wijnaldum was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, especially after the La Liga side appointed the player's compatriot, Ronald Koeman, as their new head coach. Koeman and Wijnaldum worked together at the Netherlands national team between 2018 and 2020. Due to Barcelona's ongoing financial crisis, the club failed to make a concrete offer to Wijnaldum, but the talented midfielder remains one of Barcelona's key targets at the ongoing January transfer window.

A tough start to the 2020-21 LaLiga season, as well as their ongoing presidential elections, has put the club's transfer business on hold, while it is understood that Koeman's job may also not be secure at the moment. Barcelona's long-term intentions toward Wijnaldum are expected to become clearer after the new club president is announced on Jan. 24.

It was earlier reported that Inter Milan have joined Barcelona in the race to acquire Wijnaldum's services. The Serie A club has been in regular contact with the Dutchman's representatives, while the player plans to ask Inter Milan for a four-year contract and a wage comprising of "top figures."

Klopp's Liverpool recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium, which was their second loss of the 2020-21 Premier League season. The Reds are level on points with second-placed Manchester United but are ahead with a superior goal difference. Should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side defeat Burnley Tuesday, they'll take the No. 1 spot in the league table.