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Director confirms Liverpool talisman is on Barca’s radar

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No.10 - Philippe Coutinho

According to reports from Spanish publication Marca this afternoon, Barcelona sporting director Roberto Fernandez has confirmed Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho is on the club’s radar. 

The 23 year-old has emerged as a key member of the Liverpool starting Xi since signing from Inter Milan for an £8.5million fee in January 2013.

He’s produced 14 goals and 19 assists in 87 Premier League appearances for the Reds and was included in the division’s Team of the Year for 2014/15. He also picked up the Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards at Anfield.

Reports of Barcelona’s interest in the Brazil international first surfaced after the close of the summer transfer window and as reported by Marca, Barcelona director Roberto Fernandez has now confirmed Coutinho is on the club’s radar – although he did not reveal whether the club are considering a formal bid.

Fernandez said during an interview with radio station Cadena SER; “He’s a great player with fantastic attributes, but we’re also keeping an eye on other players.”

Sky Sports’ correspondent Guillem Balague, however, believes the Nou Camp outfit will inevitably be put off by the attacking midfielder’s price-tag, having signed a contract extension until 2020 in February.

He told Sky Sports News yesterday; “They [Barcelona] have made a list of players that they are interested in, or that they will research on. [Sofiane] Feghouli at Valencia is one and Coutinho is another one. Parallel to that, Coutinho has received the backing of David Luiz of PSG and Neymar as well. Both of them have said recently that he would be a great addition to Barcelona.

“Barcelona don’t seem to be fully interested for different reasons but mostly because of the cost, the fee, to get him to Barcelona. They’ve got Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan joining the squad, they’re looking for one or two additions but they don’t want to spend a lot of money and Coutinho would cost much more than they want to spend.”

Also in the news:

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La Liga side offer Liverpool target January escape from Man United hell

Rodgers ‘incredibly disappointed’ to leave Liverpool – full statement

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