According to the latest reports from the Mirror, Barcelona have made a decision regarding Philippe Coutinho, and they are willing to listen to offers for the Brazilian playmaker in the upcoming summer transfer window. Manchester United’s name had been linked with this former Liverpool man before, but it wasn’t clear yet whether the Catalan giants would be willing to sell Coutinho after just 14 months.
However, the report adds that the La Liga holders will only look to sell if they manage to recoup the majority of the £144m they spent on him to sign him from the Merseyside club. Coutinho has failed to live up to expectations at the Camp Nou, and he himself claimed that he hasn’t been at his best.
The Brazilian international recently said, ”In the last few weeks, months even, I’ve not been playing well. But I still want to improve. I came to Barcelona to give my best. I live for the moment. You never know what the future holds. I am happy with my performance today.”
Barcelona might be willing to listen to offers, but the report does add that Coutinho is ready to fight for his place in the Barcelona lineup and hasn’t given up yet. Manchester United though would be glad to know Barcelona’s stance as the La Liga leaders are open to selling him.
However, the price tag is going to be a big issue for United, and the Red Devils would be better off spending such money to improve their defence. It’s true that Coutinho will be able to provide that cutting edge in midfield with his creativity and guile but United have someone like Pogba who can do that for them regularly. The likes of Andreas Pereira, Ander Herrera are the other midfield options, and Fred joined in just the last summer only. So United are well covered in midfield, and it wouldn’t make sense for them to spend a bomb to land another midfielder.
Coutinho was supposed to take over the reins from Andres Iniesta in midfield, but Ernesto Valverde has preferred the likes of Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal to start alongside Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets. The Brazilian has often been used on the left flank, and he is competing for his place with a more natural winger like Ousmane Dembele.
So his place in the team isn’t looking well settled, but it is clear from the reports that he hasn’t given up entirely. As for United, they have bigger things to look at as they have to solve the dilemma of their ageing defence and spending over £120-130m for the former Inter Milan player doesn’t make sense.
