Guillem Balague doesn’t think Barcelona will move for Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho
Guillem Balague has told Sky Sports that Barcelona star Neymar wants Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho to join the club – but doesn’t expect the La Liga giants to sign him.
Coutinho, 24, has impressed for Liverpool ever since arriving from Inter Milan in January 2013, and whilst he hit eight goals and five assists in the Premier League last season, he’s even improved under Jurgen Klopp this year.
With five goals and five assists in just 11 Premier League games, Coutinho has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, but his performances have triggered interest in his signature.
Catalan newspaper Sport recently reported that Brazilian international Coutinho has become Barcelona’s priority signing as the Spanish giants again look to raid Anfield, just over two years since they snapped up striker Luis Suarez.
Barcelona’s Neymar
It would be a major surprise to see Barcelona splash so much money on Coutinho given that they already have Suarez, Neymar and Luis Suarez at their disposal, but it seems that one of Barcelona’s attackers is pushing for the deal.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has told Sky Sports that Barcelona ‘love’ Coutinho, and Neymar wants his Brazilian international team-mate to join him at the Camp Nou.
Balague continued by revealing that Coutinho is interested in Barcelona, but a deal looks unlikely as he would cost around €70m (£60m), and thinks Coutinho would only be a substitute under Luis Enrique.
Guillem Balague
Balague added that Barcelona are morel likely to spend their money elsewhere, meaning Liverpool fans can breathe a sigh of relief over Coutinho’s future.
“Barcelona love Coutinho but they have no strategy to sign him at the moment,” said Balague. “Neymar would like them to sign him and Coutinho himself is interested in the fact that Barcelona have followed him. But at the moment, it’s all media talk.”
“That’s because he’s a forward and he can play where Lionel Messi and Neymar play but they are both there. Coutinho can’t be a substitute of those. He’s also going to cost around 70 million euros and there is no buyout clause. This would mean a lot of negotiating with Liverpool. I don’t see it happening. Barcelona will spend their money somewhere else,” he added.
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