Pride the driving factor in pursuit of Coutinho and Sanchez
Barca have everything going for them, but then they always aim big
So we have had Dallas and Dynasty, Eastenders and Coronation Street. Now Coutinho and Sanchez are vying for the title of longestrunning saga/soap opera/ will-they-won’t-they/whenwill-it-end football transfer saga in recent times.
This window is open, but the attempts by Barcelona to lure Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, and Manchester City to prise Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, respectively, have been on the go since the early parts of 2017.
While much like those silly TV dramas, many of a footballing persuasion shout: “Just get it over with”, they should maybe instead be asking: “Why?”
Why are Barca after an overpriced Brazilian?
Why are City chasing another frontman?
Barcelona look set to complete the signing of Coutinho anytime as the player has not travelled with Liverpool to their warm-weather camp in Dubai.
But do they need him?
They are rampaging away with La Liga title No 25, they comfortably cruised through group qualification in the Uefa Champions League and they do not need a record signing coming in and upsetting the status quo.
Neymar departed Catalonia for Paris and they strolled on. They have not missed Ousmane Dembele since their soon-tobe-usurped most expensive recruit blew a hamstring in September. It seems to be pride, for me. “What do you mean we can’t get him?” asks suit No 1 at Barca HQ.
“How dare you deny FC Barcelona!” says suit No 2.
They are getting their man to save pride, and then work out how to fit him in.
All a bit silly, but when it goes through — and it will soon — laughing.
As for Sanchez to City, where do you start?
Pep Guardiola had been prepared to get the Chilean for free in the summer, but a longterm injury to striker Gabriel Jesus and interest from Paris St-Germain has brought things forward.
Yes, there is a similar pride factor as Arsenal rejected a bid for Sanchez from City in the summer.
But a City without Jesus do not need Sanchez.
They have Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling, a couple of Silvas and Kevin de Bruyne — Liverpool will be who all bang in the goals.
Plus they have a 15-point lead in the league, so let’s blood those young promising guys from the Academy if you need someone to put the ball in the net. Let’s face it, a De Bruyne or Silva delivery could be scored by a lamp post in the right place.
The big-spending French club are also keen on Sanchez and have their own wealth of attackers, but that’s for another day.
City want to show they can sign who they want when they want and show Guardiola he can play his attack-first philosophy for years to come.