Report names Barcelona player Klopp wants as part of Coutinho’s potential Liverpool exit

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Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.

A report emanating from Spain this morning claims that Reds boss Jürgen Klopp will demand Sergi Roberto as part of any kind of deal that sees Philippe Coutinho move to Barcelona in January, according to Spanish media outlet Don Balon.

The Brazilian play-maker was heavily linked with a move to the Catalan giants in the summer, but Liverpool remained steadfast in their resilience to keep hold of their star man, rejecting three bids from Barca for the 25-year-old, according to BBC Sport.

Coutinho has not quite hit the heights he reached for the Reds last season, although he has still performed admirably, chalking up nine goals and six assists in 15 appearances in all competitions thus far.

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Continued links with a club the size fo Barcelona must surely be playing on the Brazil international’s mind, however, with the Catalans refusing to admit defeat in their pursuit of the Liverpool ace.

Don Balon have claimed today that whilst Klopp wants to keep hold of the 25-year-old, the German could entertain the possibility of selling him to Barcelona if Sergi Roberto moves in the opposite direction.

The 25-year-old Spaniard can play in the right-back position, central midfield, or further up the pitch in the wide right role, and would undoubtedly be a useful addition for the Merseyside outfit.

Don Balon go on to claim that the La Liga giants are not willing to offer Roberto as part of a deal to bring Coutinho to the Camp Nou, however, and are offering the Reds the choice of Arda Turan, Andre Gomes or Gerard Deulofeu instead.

This will obviously be a transfer saga that rumbles on and on, but it is looking increasingly more likely that the Brazilian star will not be at Anfield next season.

And if that is the case, it will be interesting to see which Barcelona player ends up making the move in the opposite direction.