According to reports from The Express this afternoon, Barcelona are ‘looking to sign’ Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.
What’s the word?
The Express claim that the Brazil international’s impressive start to the season, claiming August’s Goal of the Month award for his net-bursting strike against Stoke City and generally proving a nuisance in the final third, has caught the attention of European champions Barcelona, who always hold a soft spot for Selacao starlets.
Is he really at that level and do Barca need him?
A matter of great debate. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard thinks it’s only a matter of time before the 23 year-old ends up in an El Clasico derby, although that’s kind of like asking Rio Ferdinand if his brother deserves another chance in the Premier League.
Barcelona standard? Philippe Coutinho’s form since signing for Liverpool in January 2013
Coutinho certainly possesses an eye for wonder goals and killer passes but that lack of subtly can be frustrating on occasion. He’s produced one admittedly incredible goal from 18 efforts in just four appearances this season; you can’t imagine Barca being too happy about such profligacy with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic hanging about.
Likewise, whose place in the starting XI the attacking midfielder would take is anyone’s guess – although Barca could certainly do with a few more options from the bench.
Is anybody else interested and what kind of price?
Most top European clubs are well-stocked on the in-vouge No.10 but this is by no means the only report insinuating Coutinho’s Anfield departure in recent months. The Express alleged he could be on his way to Chelsea back in May, whilst Manchester Evening News reported preparations for a £35million bid from Manchester City in April. That being said, any interest the Premier League title contenders had likely expired with the summer transfer window.
The article in question, meanwhile, rates Coutinho at just £21million – incredibly reasonable in the context of the modern market considering he’s arguably Liverpool’s best player and signed a contract until 2020 in February.
How reliable is the story?
In short, not particularly. In addition to some of the reasons mentioned above – such as Coutinho’s modest price-tag and Barcelona’s debatable need for an attacking midfielder who averages almost as many shots per match as Lionel Messi – The Express tend to take a scatter-gun approach to transfer rumours, hoping a couple will eventually prove true even if they make themselves look rather silly in the process.
This story isn’t even one of their own. It’s sourced from Spanish outlet Fichajes, whose speculative rumours tend to thrive during periods of limited transfer activity because there’s quite simply, not much else to report.
That being said, a Nou Camp switch is by no means an improbable scenario. Barcelona will be keen to splash the cash once their transfer embargo is lifted in January and although Coutinho isn’t exactly on par with the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, he’s worthy of a place on their bench.
The likelihood of Liverpool selling halfway through the season, however, especially for such a modest sum, verges upon zero.
Also in the news:
Chelsea, Man City and Real set for January scrap over £37m defender
Revealed: How poor timing cost Man United £6.5m this summer
Man United hope to beat Chelsea and City to England prodigy with £1m bid
Man United could arrest Shaw absence with £4m bid for Leeds prodigy
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Hilarious!!! Gerrard says that Coutinho could end up in Spain so one of our dumb newspapers actually sells him the next day!!!!
I will b pleased if LFC can keep coutinho nd not sell him 4 any reason. All we need now is to focus on hw to make a success at d club.
Cautinho deserve to joint barca in winter
i like coutinho to stay at anfield but for him to become a world class player he should put his head to camp nou
Will be excited if he join Barcelona.
Will be xcited if he join Barcelona.
£21m for Coutinho? Are you sure??? If Sterling is worth £49m and Bryne is worth £50m then Coutinho is worth £60m at least.
I wouldn’t go that far but as mentioned in the article, the price the Express have quoted is probably wrong.
Coutinho is not worth for 60m, he is a star but not worth for 60m. and barce should look for Marco veratti too
coutinho worth much more than 21million…and would stay @bench @camp nou…sure of DAT…
I will like to see coutinho staying @ liverpool…..coutinho self worth than 21million….coutinho is d best player am looking @,@liverpool.
yes! coutinho is d right solution for barca’s disceleration.
It will be a perfect signing for barcelona. Coutinho will solve barcas midfield problem. U ar welcome coutinho. Can’t wait to give u number 20 jersey.
Is a good solution for brace to sign coutinho but they should also look for Marco veratti
Barcelona should sign a defender too. It could be John stone from everton or thiego silva from psg.
If anyone has a access to barce’s president pls tell him we need a better coach
If anyone had a access to barce’s president plz tell him we need a better coach
WE NEED TO SIGN COUTINHO FAST
I want him to stay at anfield until 2020
Pogba and marco veratti will be better but coutinho is still an average player for barca in ter$s of midfield