New Barcelona president Joan Laporta has concluded his financial audit of the Catalan giants’ state of affairs to reveal that they have amassed debts of over £1 billion. A squad restructure along with trying to keep hold of club talisman Lionel Messi will need to be done on a budget. That may not stretch to be able to include the wage demands of Gini Winjnaldum, whose contract expires at the end of the season, allowing him to move as a free agent.
Barca do have an academy prospect within their ranks in the shape of 18 year old midfield prodigy Iliax Moriba. The young midfielder made his debut in January in the Copa Del Rey and then made his La Liga debut a month later against Alaves, setting up a goal in the process. Since then he has set up another two goals and scored against Osasuna.
The youngster is seen as a potential alternative to Georginio Wijnaldum, and would be demanding a small fraction of the salary that the Dutchman would command.
This could play a key role in Wijnaldum’s decision if Barcelona are no longer an option, leaving him with a decision between signing a new contract at the Reds or seeking pastures new in Serie A, with Inter Milan having registered interest. Gini has always maintained that it would be very difficult to leave a club that he loves so much. Maybe if the lure of Barcelona and Koeman is no longer an option, he will reassess his situation.