Liverpool could potentially receive another £35m from Barcelona for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho – according to the Daily Mail.
However, the report claims that this substantial portion of the headline fee was based on performance bonuses and there is no guarantee the Reds will receive it, particularly if he moves on before hitting the specified markers. The Brazilian left Anfield in January 2018 (via Transfermarkt.co.uk) but is currently on loan to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Coutinho had played for the La Liga side 76 times prior to his temporary switch, scoring 21 goals and provided 11 assists. His average performance rating in the German top-flight currently stands at 7.27/10 according to WhoScored.com – which is by no means disastrous – but there are suggestions Hans-Dieter Flick’s side are not interested in doing a permanent deal for the attacking midfielder.
Some of the Anfield faithful have been discussing this on social media – here’s what a sample of them had to say.
Take them to court and ask them to pay back whatever they owe us.
— ErhanLFC (@ErdzLfc83) April 19, 2020
The best business will be buying him back for that £35m ? I don’t like to see him go to another PL rival & the kid loves to comeback to Liverpool ?
— Hamed Kashkush (@KashkushHamed) April 19, 2020
Barca should be banned from making moves on LFC players in the future
— LFC 18+6 ????? ? (@Stevieifmexbor1) April 19, 2020
However, others were less concerned by these reports because the remainder of the money is due to be received by a third-party lender (as per the Daily Mirror).
Would you have Coutinho back at Liverpool?
Yes
No
They are fraudsters
— NIGERIAN SCOUSER (@dennisayuba) April 19, 2020
Sue them for it
— Sammy Liddell (@sammyliddell929) April 19, 2020
If that’s the case we should never sell a player to them again!!!
— M Holland (@michaelpholland) April 19, 2020
What do we think?
On the surface of it, it seems as though Liverpool may have been short-changed by Barcelona. However, the debt is now thought to be owed to a third-party financial institution – meaning it’s no longer the Anfield club’s problem. Coutinho scored 54 goals and provided 45 assists for the Reds during his time there, but just over two years down the line, his future with the Catalan club is hanging in the balance.