Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has reportedly already picked his Barcelona squad number.
Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona is appearing more inevitable by the day with reports from Spain claiming that he has already chosen a new squad number.
The Brazilian wears number 10 at Anfield, but that shirt is famously held by Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, so Coutinho has asked for the equally glamorous number seven, according to Diario Gol, via The Mirror.
This will only be possible if the current owner of Barcelona’s number seven shirt – Arda Turan – leaves the jersey vacant, and the Turkey international is expected to leave Catalonia this month.
The Mirror claims that Everton have been linked with the 30-year-old midfielder, who has not made a single appearance for Barca this season despite the departure of Neymar and injury to Ousmane Dembele.
Coutinho scored three times for the Reds against Everton but is now potentially relying on Liverpool’s fierce Merseyside rivals to help him secure his preferred squad number at Barca.
Players to have previously worn seven for Barcelona include Luis Figo, Javier Saviola and David Villa, with Coutinho poised to follow suit as Liverpool concede the battle to keep him, according to Sky Sports.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
