Barcelona have pulled out of talks to sign Liverpool midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.

The Mirror says new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman had identified Liverpool title-winning midfielder Wijnaldum as his number one priority along with fellow Dutch striker Memphis Depay from Lyon with both stars in the last year of contracts.

But Barcelona's dire financial crisis has forced them to shelve plans to sign Wijnaldum with the Spanish league's governing body stepping in to block the move.

La Liga clubs are operating under strict financial guidelines following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barcelona are struggling with a £510million-a-year wage bill and will not be allowed to buy Wijnaldum and Depay unless they raise the money with player sales first.

They must also pay the same amount as the transfer fee to the Spanish government following financial help given to clubs during the health crisis.