It hasn't taken new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman long to start to make moves. Coming off his official announcement as the new boss, Koeman is looking at Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as a building block for his new squad.
According to AS, the Dutch manager is telling Wijnaldum not to sign with Liverpool this summer, anxious to reel him in.
Barcelona recently signed Miralem Pjanic from Juventus, where he was used in a central midfield role, but Koeman wants Wijnaldum, whom he coached with the Dutch national team, to link up with others like Frenkie De Jong in this new squad he's yet to build.
Wijnaldum is a stabilizing piece, one Barcelona can use after an 8-2 defeat at the feet of Bayern Munich put its future in shambles.
Ronald Koeman will have room to build, especially considering that Barcelona has only seven untouchable players in its squad. The Spanish powerhouse is reportedly willing to sell striker Luis Suárez — and former club Ajax has already put in a bid.
The new Barcelona boss is doing what any other new manager would do in a new job, look for familiar pieces that can help him win. Koeman has won plenty with Wijnaldum in the middle of the pitch, so it comes as no surprise that he's targeting him as an option.
Liverpool is looking at Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara, who would replace Wijnaldum if he makes his move to the Premier League later this summer.
Ronald Koeman suggesting Georginio Wijnaldum shouldn't sign with Liverpool is frowned upon, but those things happen more often than reported — especially with managers with connections around the world. Should Koeman rebuild his Dutch empire in Barcelona, it could be a decent starting block of success for a club that has yet to find the sweet spot in the last few years.
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