Noel Whelan thinks Liverpool could sell Georginio Wijnaldum

Noel Whelan has suggested that Liverpool could sell Georginio Wijnaldum amid interest from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.

The former Leeds United striker believes that with Naby Keita starting to look good, the Reds may decide to sell Netherlands international midfielder Wijnaldum.

According to The Guardian, Barcelona are interested in signing the midfielder from Liverpool in the summer transfer window.

It has been reported that new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman wants to sign the former Newcastle United star he managed for the Netherlands national football team.

Whelan told Football Insider: “Barcelona are in a bit of a mess. The are definitely in a transition period, that is for sure. When you look at the ages of the players now and the way that they got defeated by Bayern Munich was unheard of.

“Barca need to start rebuilding and Ronald Koeman will want players that he knows. Koeman knows Wijnaldum very, very well.

“With just a year left on his Liverpool contract the club have to weigh up whether it is worth the risk of losing him for nothing in 12 months. Perhaps it is time to cash in knowing that they have Keita coming through.”

Important player for Liverpool

Wijnaldum has been on the books of Liverpool – who are rated at 15/8 second favourites by Betfair to win the Premier League title next season – since the summer of 2016 and has established himself as a key figure in manager Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Netherlands international played an important role in the Reds winning the Champions League in 2018-19 and the Premier League last season.

According to WhoScored, the 29-year-old midfielder made 35 starts and two substitute appearances in the league for the Reds last season, scoring four goals in the process.