Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Barca: We’ll get Coutinho in January...
Barca planning January raid for Brazil star
BARCELONA will make another bid for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho in January.
The Merseysiders rejected multiple offers from Barca for their Brazilian playmaker in the summer transfer window, even though the Catalan giants were prepared to stump up a staggering £118million for him.
But Nou Camp bigwig Oscar Grau said
yesterday that they will return for Kop idol
Coutinho in the New Year.
“We are ready to sign Coutinho or any other player the technical staff request in the winter window,” said Barca’s CEO.
Barcelona’s predicted revenue of £805m for this season – up £170m on last year – will enable them to test Liverpool’s resolve.
“We want to have the most competitive squad possible,” Grau went on.
“We’re presenting figures for this season which are the highest of any club in the world. No other teams, even in the NBA and NFL, reach these numbers.”
Coutinho handed in a transfer request in the summer but, despite seeing his dream move to the Nou Camp dashed, he has slotted back into the Liverpool side and impressed since his return.
The Brazilian has scored on his last three Liverpool appearances and has pledged to give his all to Jurgen Klopp’s side, saying: “It’s all passed by. I’m here to give my maximum.”