Cash-strapped Barcelona 'refuse to enter battle with PSG over Wijnaldum's wages'

Barcelona 'will not enter a salary battle with Paris Saint-Germain' over Georginio Wijnaldum's wages after the French side made a late attempt to hijack their move.

PSG are understood to be planning a last-minute swoop to sign the coveted Liverpool star on a free transfer this summer by offering a larger salary package, despite Wijnaldum being heavily linked to, and expected to sign for, Barcelona.

And according to Mundo Deportivo, the cash-strapped Spanish giants will not improve their offer to him and want the 30-year-old to make a quick decision on his future ahead of the Euro 2020 tournament, which starts on Friday June 11.

Wijnaldum, who is leaving Anfield this summer at the end of his contract, has attracted interest from several leading European clubs including Bayern Munich, but was thought to have provisionally agreed a three-year contract with Barcelona.

Mauricio Pochettino's PSG could however foil their chase to sign him, with Wijnaldum potentially open to a move elsewhere.

He was quoted by Marca saying: 'I cannot deny the contacts (with Barcelona). I have just signed off from Liverpool and it is an interesting situation for many clubs.'

The Mundo Deportivo front page states the club will pay 'Not a Euro more,' and the paper also claims PSG's contract offer is 'greatly improved' from Barcelona's salary package.

The Catalan club's finances are in a perilous state, exacerbated by the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning they have focused on signing players on free transfers, with Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia brought in from Manchester City.

Wijnaldum's Netherlands team-mate Memphis Depay is expected to sign from Lyon, also on a free transfer, with several players expected to leave the Nou Camp in order to lower the wage bill.

Barcelona also hope the prospect of linking up with Wijnaldum's former manager at the Netherlands Ronald Koeman - now confirmed to be staying at the club another season - will help persuade him to join.

The 74-cap international is expected to play a heavy part in Frank de Boer's side at the upcoming Euros, and will captain the team in the injury-enforced absence of the usual skipper Virgil van Dijk.