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Liverpool owners slammed for key transfer decision despite Thiago, Jota arrivals
Liverpool have had a successful transfer window so far, but have faced criticism for their treatment of one player in particular.
Liverpool: Steve Nicol urges club to keep Gini Wijnaldum
Liverpool’s owners have been heavily criticised for letting Georginio Wijnaldum enter the final season of his contract at Anfield. Wijnaldum’s contract will expire next July, and there has been interest in his services from abroad.
Liverpool have enjoyed a successful transfer window so far, having brought in world-class players in Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota.
They spent less than £10million combined this summer on the pair, with the rest of the payments to be made across the next few transfer windows.
Jurgen Klopp and transfer chief Michael Edwards moved quickly to bring in Kostas Tsimikas for £11m, with the defender set to act as a back-up for Andy Robertson.
However, former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson has criticised the champions for their decision to let Wijnaldum enter the final year of his contract without an extension.
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The Dutch international has been a key part of Klopp’s set-up in recent years, and was one of the standout performers last season.
But this summer, there has been speculation over his future, with Barcelona interested in making a move.
Ronald Koeman reportedly earmarked the midfielder as one of his top targets after taking the top job at the Nou Camp, but has since looked at other options.
And Robinson explained to Football Insider that he was baffled by Liverpool’s failure to secure Wijnaldum’s future, and warned them that they could end up losing him for free.
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Wijnaldum is reportedly in talks with Liverpool over a new deal, but could talk to potential new clubs in January and sign a pre-contract agreement to leave for free in the summer.
“It’s always a difficult one with contracts,” Robinson conceded.
“I can never understand how players are allowed to get into the last nine or 12 months of their contract, especially players you are wanting to keep or that have transfer value.
“Unless a player is flatly refusing to sign a contract, I can never understand how a club like Liverpool, their owners, can let it run down so it gets to these types of discussions, the will he-wont he sign, do we sell him-do we not sell him.
“While they’ve still got a value attached to them I can never understand a club running a contract down.
“If the players there the manager will use him, he’s too good of a player to have in your squad and not use.
“If that’s what he’s doing he’s looking after himself and it’s very difficult for the club to force him to sign a contract.
“From a manger’s point of view, I’d certainly utilise Wijnaldum.”
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