Ronald Koeman accuses Barcelona chief of blocking Liverpool star’s transfer “to annoy me”

Ronald Koeman was keen to bring Gini Wijnaldum to Camp Nou last summer, however he claims that key Barcelona chief blocked the move in an attempt to “annoy” him

Ronald Koeman

Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman has claimed he was blocked from signing ex-Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum.

Koeman, now in charge of the Netherlands national team, says that Barcelona club president Joan Laporta stopped any potential move in order to “annoy him”. Wijnaldum was due to become a free agent in the summer of 2021 after failing to agree a new Anfield deal.

Koeman wanted to sign his compatriot in order to bolster his midfield options, but the move never happened and instead, the midfielder went on to join Paris Saint-Germain. Koeman was sacked by Barca just a few months later after a poor start to the campaign.

“I tried to sign Wijnaldum for Barca but I failed because the President wanted to annoy me more than bringing in a player,” said the Dutchman reflecting back on the period. “That delayed the operation and for that reason, he opted for PSG. Otherwise, he would have played for Barcelona,”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/wijnaldum-barcelona-liverpool-koeman-psg-28057497