Ronald Koeman targets Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum as Barcelona boss plans his rebuild

Ronald Koeman has been appointed as Barcelona’s new manager (Picture: Getty)

Ronald Koeman is eyeing up a move for Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum as he begins to plan the task of rebuilding a Barcelona side still reeling from their Champions League humiliation.

The Catalan giants were beaten 8-2 in last Friday’s historic quarter final defeat against Bayern Munich to cap a miserable season which also saw them surrender the Spanish league title to Real Madrid.

Koeman was confirmed as Quiquie Setien’s replacement earlier this week, while the club are also set to appoint a successor to outgoing sporting director Eric Abidal who has been under pressure since a public spat with Lionel Messi earlier this year.

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Koeman, a former Europan Cup winner during his playing days at Barcelona, faces an unenviable task, inheriting a demoralised and ageing squad.

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Under-fire president Josep Bartomeu insists just eight first team squad players have been deemed untransferrable and the club will need to sell before it is a position to significantly strengthen.

Georginio Wijnaldum has entered the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract (Picture: Getty)

Koeman is already said to have targeted Ajax’s Donny van de Beek and according to AD the 57-year-old has told Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum not to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions.

Wijnaldum has entered the final year of his current deal and is still waiting for negotiations over a new contract to recommence and had been seeking assurances that he would remain a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans.

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The former Newcastle star made 47 appearances in all competitions last season but competition for a place in Liverpool’s engine room remains intense.

Naby Keita’s improvement towards the end of their title-winning campaign has advanced his cause for a regular starting role, while youngsters Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott will give their manager additional options.

Liverpool, meanwhil,e remain interested in Thiago Alcantara but will refuse to meet Bayern Muinch’s €30million asking price.

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