Coutinho’s long-awaited move to Barcelona might still happen
LIVERPOOL’S Philippe Coutinho is as determined as ever to move to Barcelona this month but the Merseyside club will demand a fee in excess of £130-million (R2.18-billion) before considering talks.
The opening of transfer business has brought a sense of deja vu at Anfield, Coutinho making it clear he still wants to leave while Liverpool seek to protect the interests of the club.
Unlike last summer, there is a deafening silence on the issue of whether Coutinho will be allowed to go. When bids materialised last July, Liverpool issued a statement insisting they would not sell. This backed up private assurances that the 25-year-old would not be sold, with the player and his representatives informed of Liverpool’s uncompromising stance.
This time, Jurgen Klopp’s position has shifted and the hardline language of July and August is significantly absent. Not even the extraordinary gaffe of Barcelona’s kit suppliers, Nike, advertising Coutinho’s imminent arrival, has provoked a strong response.
The messages are far more ambiguous. Klopp said the Nike incident “did not interest” him.
And Coutinho feels more encouraged a deal might be struck.
Much depends on Barcelona’s stance, especially whether they are prepared significantly to increase their bids from last summer. It is not clear that the La Liga giants have the funds for such a huge deal.
Their last offer was £115-million (R1.93-billion), but this was inclusive of numerous add-ons. The likelihood of such an offer succeeding is unrealistic, especially in a market where Liverpool have just paid £75-million (R1.25-billion) for a centre-back.
Barcelona splashed out £135-million (R2.26) to secure Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele last summer and Liverpool would rate Coutinho at least at that level. — The Daily Telegraph