Barcelona have reportedly been forced to give up their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum for the time being.
With former Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman now in charge at Camp Nou, Wijnaldum has been strongly linked with a switch to Catalonia alongside international teammate Memphis Depay.
However, the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic has forced the governing body to step in and curb clubs' spending during the transfer window.
The Mirror reports that La Liga have blocked Barcelona from signing any new players until they trim down their mammoth £510m wage bill, meaning that Wijnaldum and Depay will be staying put at Liverpool and Lyon respectively for now.
Given the fact that the Spanish government has assisted clubs financially during this period, Barca would also have to fork out the same figure as the transfer fee to the authorities for their help.
However, with Wijnaldum's deal at Anfield set to expire next summer, the midfielder could move to Camp Nou on a free in less than 12 months' time - with personal terms already understood to have been agreed.
Ben Knapton
