Wijnaldum tight lipped: "I can't say anything about Barca"

The Dutch international Georginio Wijnaldum neither confirmed nor denied this Thursday reports that say he could join Barcelona next season. "They are just rumours, at the moment I can't say anything," the midfielder said while smiling when he was asked at the Netherlands' press conference. 

Wijnaldum, 29, repeated the same answer when he was asked for his opinion over whether he could be an important player for Barcelona and where he wants to play next season. "I thought you were going to say I can be a key player for the national team," he added. "If you ask me about the national team, I'll be able to answer."

The Dutch press have published that Wijnaldum is negotiating a move to Barcelona and that these conversations are taking place with the approval of his current club Liverpool. Barca could sign him for between 15 and 20 million euros, according to two of the most read subscription papers in the Netherlands. These are 'De Telegraaf' and 'Algemeen Dagblad'. The midfielder has a Liverpool contract until summer 2021, but Barcelona have apparently asked him not to renew so they can try and buy him. 

Wijnaldum also said he and the Netherlands players had mixed feelings about Ronald Koeman's departure for Barcelona. "The team are sad he's gone, but we're happy for him. If you do that as a player, you're in the same situation. We have to move on," the footballer said. He admitted that he is going to "miss" the coach. 

Wijnaldum, however, has reportedly said yes to Barcelona, reports in recent days says. Barcelona and Liverpool just have to put the finishing touches to the deal plus Barca must sell someone in midfield in order to complete the deal. 

'Sport' says that Barcelona have yet to reach an agreement with Liverpool on the fee. At the moment ad until more midfielders leave the club, Barca will not put more than 15 million euros on the table. Therefore, Arturo Vidal, Rafinha and Monchu are on the way out.