Philippe Coutinho has reportedly handed in an official transfer request to leave Liverpool this summer amid interest from Barcelona
According to a report by Sky Sports, Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona could happen very soon as the player has submitted an official transfer request to Liverpool. The Spanish giants have been targeting Coutinho for months now, after having failed in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti.
Coutinho’s career graph has only risen exponentially ever since he joined Liverpool from Inter Milan back in 2013. The 24-year-old has secured a spot for himself in Liverpool and established himself as an indispensable member of the squad. He is now deservedly regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League.
The young Brazilian played 34 games across all competitions for the Reds last season, scoring 11 goals while also providing eight assists. A regular in the Brazil national team, Coutinho has been a highly sought-after player this summer but Barcelona are believed to be the front-runners in landing a deal.
The Catalan giants have focused their attention on reinforcing the midfield this summer and Coutinho has been identified as a priority target since they are in need of quality reinforcements.
Andres Iniesta yet again proved to be one of the most influential players for Barcelona, but he is approaching the twilight years of his scintillating career, thus accentuating the need for a younger alternative in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Ivan Rakitic is also experiencing a decline in his form. Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes have been struggling to settle at Camp Nou, so Coutinho does seem like the best option for them.
However, it was eariler reported Liverpool are demanding a staggering €100 million for Coutinho in an attempt to ward off interest from the Spanish club. With Coutinho expressing a desire to leave the club, it will be interesting to see how the financial aspect plays out.
It seems unlikely that Barcelona will let a chance slip by to sign of the best midfielders in the Premier League right now, but whether they are willing to splash the insane amount of cash is something we all have to wait and watch out for.
