Barcelona is optimistic about the possible departure of Philippe Coutinho, reports Sport. The Catalans are eager to get rid of the 29-year-old attacking midfielder and have three options in England: Everton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are not unsympathetic to the arrival of the Brazilian.
Coutinho should play a key role in Barcelona’s upcoming transfer window. The Spanish top club wants to take over Ferran Torres from Manchester City, but must, as is known, first sell players. Coutinho is superfluous and, with a net salary of no less than fourteen million euros, puts a heavy burden on the budget. The annual reward for the South American is also a stumbling block, because no club will be able or willing to offer him the same.
It is therefore likely that Coutinho will be rented out, with Barcelona possibly continuing to pay part of the salary. Everton has according to Sport listen to such a construction. Coutinho is eager to return to the Premier League, where he caused a furore at Liverpool between 2013 and 2017. The Reds are not interested in bringing the attacking midfielder back, but arch-rival Everton is.
Coutinho reportedly sees Everton as a viable option, but turns his nose up at Newcastle United. That is a disappointment for Barcelona, as Newcastle, led by the immensely wealthy Saudi Arabian owners, could probably make the best offer financially. Coutinho’s agent is hopeful about a possible offer from Arsenal or Tottenham, although both London clubs do not seem concrete at the moment.
Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt’s name continues to ring in Barcelona. The 22-year-old center defender of Juventus hopes to make a transfer next summer, his representative Mino Raiola recently announced in Studio Football. Barça are seriously interested, but according to Sport nothing to do while Coutinho or Samuel Umtiti is still on the payroll. Where there seem to be options for Coutinho, it has been quiet around Umtiti for quite some time.