All is not well at Chelsea football club right now amid a transfer ban, loss of form and the uncertainty over Maurizio Sarri’s future. But the supporters might have something to cheer for if the latest report (as claimed by Express Sport) regarding Philippe Coutinho’s transfer is believed to be true.
Manchester United have been linked to a summer move for the former Liverpool star who failed to settle in Barcelona in the aftermath of a staggering £142m swoop more than a year back. However, the Blues have reportedly entered the race now. Roman Abramovich, the club owner, would splash the cash to tie down the Brazilian should the ban be uplifted at least for the summer window.
Coutinho, 26, was the fans’ favourite at Merseyside but opted for glory forcing a moveout midway through the previous term. Liverpool survived the setback and progressed through to the final of the prestigious Champions League contest following his exit. However, the player lost his charm in new surroundings and struggled to secure a starting role under Ernesto Valverde.
“I am thinking about leaving Barcelona, I know that it is a difficult decision, but it can be the best thing for my career.”
Coutinho told to his compatriots during the international break, as revealed by the Spanish outlet Sport recently.
The playmaker might consider the prospect of returning to England where he enjoyed the best spell of his career so far, and a move to Chelsea would be more probabilistic over Manchester United due to the infamous rivalry between the Reds and the Devils.
The Blues are sweating over the future of both Eden Hazard and Callum Hudson-Odoi amid rumoured interests from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively. Both the players are contracted until the summer of 2020, and the club might be forced to let them leave for free unless they take a U-turn from their stance and sign an extension to commit their future at the Stamford Bridge.
Coutinho, meanwhile, would fit in at the left flank – a similar slot where he used to operate from during his Liverpool days. Signing the Selecao star would ease the pressure off the club allowing them to listen to offers for their wantaway attackers. The Catalans are tipped to welcome a sum much lower than the amount they invested in the former Espanyol youngster, and the Blues must not think twice before roping him irrespective of Sarri’s future.
