Barcelona may end their pursuit of Georginio Wijnaldum to spend more time on youngster Ilaix Moriba in the 2021-22 season. This information could be a shock for coach Ronald Koeman.
The Dutch midfielder's contract with Liverpool will expire at the end of the 2020-21 season. He has been a target for Koeman since he was appointed last summer but the plan failed.
Recently, it is reported that there have been discussions for Wijnaldum to move to Camp Nou as a free player this summer. According to Sky Sports, Wijnaldum is waiting for an offer from Barca, while new President Joan Laporta is reassessing the club's financial situation when the debt has exceeded 1 billion Euros.
Barca's transfer issue this summer will become more difficult, forcing Laporta and related players to stand between options.
Also according to Sky Sports, officials in the Board of Directors are discussing with Koeman's coaching staff about whether to push Moriba to the first team after his impressions this season.
Although Wijnaldum's arrival will not cost Barca a transfer fee, it is clear that his salary is much higher than the 18-year-old player trained by the club. Moriba has been with the La Masia Academy since he was 7 years old and is now considered one of the brightest talents.
Moriba officially made his first-team debut in January, at the Copa del Rey. A month later, he made his Liga debut, with an assist against Alaves. Then there was a goal against Osasuna, an assist against Sevilla, Real Sociedad. Moriba has a style likened to Paul Pogba.
Laporta's focus on young talents is not simply a financial problem. More deeply, it shows his choice between the views of Koeman and Lionel Messi - the most important figure.
Recently, Barca has maintained a series of good results but it is worth mentioning that their playing style, their performance has improved and Koeman has been praised. However, his view on personnel is not in line with Messi.
Koeman wants to add to his former Dutch international players - in addition to Wijnaldum, there is Memphis Depay, who is not interested in Sergio Aguero - Messi's best friend who will also be free to leave Manchester City in the summer. Even if Aguero intends to stay in the Premier League instead of going to Barca to combine with Messi, there are signs that Koeman will have to understand where he is if he wants to face M10.
Messi is said to have just sent the Board of Directors a list of issues the team needs to take action on, including "using the talent trained by the team" and "buying at least one top star".
Choosing Moriba over Wijnaldum as one, investing in the deal with Erling Haaland - one star, not Depay, as two, as long as it is enough to understand that, "if Koeman is not satisfied, he can leave at any time".
