Former Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho has recently revealed that the Catalan giants are eyeing a swoop for Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho.
According to Daniel Cutts and Diego Jotas of the Sun, ex-Barcelona attacker Ronaldinho believes that the club are preparing a sensational swoop to land Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho in the summer.
Ronaldinho, who made 145 appearances for the Catalan Giants, said in an interview, “I hope when he (Coutinho) returns from injury that he will continue the form he has been showing all season with Liverpool. He has been one of the stand out players in Europe this season – and I know there is a lot of admiration of him at Barcelona.”
“Liverpool will want to keep him, they have built the team around him. But when you play at that level then there is always interest.”
Coutinho has been in stellar form this season for Liverpool and has been one of manager Jurgen Klopp’s first names on the team sheet. While most players in the league have been a tad erratic with their form, the dynamic Brazilian has put in spirited performances every time he’s stepped onto the pitch.
After a mediocre summer that saw Sadio Mane as the only “big name” to walk through the door at Anfield, very few thought that Liverpool will finish in the top four, let alone mount a challenge for the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp’s ‘Gegenpressing’ has worked wonders for Liverpool and the performances of their front men Coutinho, Mane and Roberto Firmino have been pivotal in guiding the Reds to second place on the table.
All was going as per plan for Liverpool until Coutinho succumbed to an ankle injury. The Reds failed to win their next two games without the services of the Brazilian magician. He is expected to return to full fitness and play some part in the Reds’ contest against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve.
The 24-year-old is a known transfer target of Barcelona, and the Spanish side will try and do everything they can to lure him toward a move to Camp Nou. An offer to join one of Europe’s top sides will certainly be tempting and difficult to turn down.
