Barcelona to return for Coutinho in January
Barcelona will reportedly make a final attempt to sign Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window.
The Catalans were knocked back a number of times in the summer, with the Reds turning down their final offer of £118million.
The Brazilian has since returned to Jurgen Klopp’s first-team, scoring four goals in the process, but according to Mundo Deportivo, the Reds will have to brace themselves for a fresh bid in January.
They report that agent Kia Joorabchian has been appointed as an intermediary between the two sides, with Barca set to submit a similar offer to their final bid that was rejected in the summer.
They argue that Coutinho’s involvement in this season’s Champions League, which would mean he could not play in the competition for Barcelona this term, is reason not to offer an increased bid.
Barca are reportedly keen to get a deal done in January as they fear an impressive showing in next summer’s World Cup, where Brazil will start as one of the favourites, will see the 25-year-old’s value increase.
Coutinho submitted a transfer request in the summer, but has impressed for the Reds this season, as he vowed to give it his all. “I’m calm,” he said. “It’s all passed by. I’m here to defend the colours, to give my maximum.”