Premier League Update: Liverpool Offer Wijnaldum New Contract, Dutchman Yet To Take A Call

Liverpool FC have reportedly offered Gini Wijnaldum a new contract, but the Dutchman has asked the Anfield club for some more time before deciding if he wants to accept the deal.

Jurgen Klopp and the Reds are keen on retaining the services of Wijnaldum, who is going to be without a contract at the end of the 2020-21 season. However, they have not been able to convince the 30-year-old player to stay. Liverpool presented Wijnaldum a new offer at the beginning of December, but the midfielder this week said he wanted a few more days before deciding his future, The Guardian reported.

The report also stated that Wijnaldum, who will be eligible to begin negotiating with other clubs from Jan. 1, has promised Liverpool that he will let the club know of his decision before he starts talking to any clubs if he decides to part ways with the Anfield side in the summer of 2021.

Ahead of the ongoing season, Wijnaldum was heavily linked with a move to FC Barcelona after the La Liga giants had appointed the player’s former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman as their new head coach. Koeman, who shared a great relationship with Wijnaldum during his stint as the Netherlands national team’s boss between 2018 and 2020, still wants to land the midfielder at Camp Nou.

It was earlier reported that Inter Milan have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Wijnaldum. The club has been in regular touch with Wijnaldum’s representatives, who are preparing to secure a four-year deal for their client with wages in "top figures."

Wijnaldum, who moved from Newcastle United to Anfield for a transfer fee of $33 million in 2016, has been a vital cog of Klopp’s side that has tasted much success over the last two years, having won the Champions League, Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and the Premier League. It was also Liverpool’s first league title in as long as 30 years and their maiden Premier League title.

If Wijnaldum does leave Liverpool, it is understood that Klopp has identified Lillee midfielder Renato Sanches as an ideal replacement.