Inter Milan are reportedly willing to offer a sum of €15 million for the services of out-of-favour Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho in January.
According to a report from El Nacional, Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho has emerged as a transfer target for his former club, Inter Milan, who have offered €15 million for the Brazilian’s services ahead of the January transfer window.
Coutinho will be completing his fourth anniversary at Barcelona soon, having arrived at Camp Nou in a club-record deal from Liverpool back in January 2018. However, it would be safe to say that the Brazilian has proven to be a major flop for the Catalan heavyweights, having failed to show the form that made him a superstar at Anfield.
Coutinho fell out of favour at Camp Nou quite early in his stint and even had a loan spell away at Bayern Munich in 2019//20, where he displayed some signs of resurgence. However, upon returning, he failed to kick on yet again before an injury late last year sidelined him for the rest of the campaign.
Having returned to action this season, the 29-year-old has again struggled to force his way into the side and has looked lacklustre when an opportunity has been given to him. With Barcelona in poor financial health, they are keen on offloading the ex-Liverpool star to generate some funds and get his massive wages off the payroll.
Newcastle United had shown an interest and were even willing to pay €40 million for Coutinho, but he declined a move to St. James’ Park. Now, the Brazilian midfielder’s former club, Inter Milan, have shown an interest in re-signing him in the January transfer window as they look to defend their Serie A title successfully.
The Nerazzurri recently released Christian Eriksen after his heart condition prevented him from playing in Serie A this season. It has left Simone Inzaghi’s side somewhat short on creative midfielders, with there being little in terms of quality beyond Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.
As a result, they are now believed to be looking at Coutinho, who spent more than four years on the club’s books after arriving from Vasco Da Gama in 2008. And, the reigning champions of Italy are offering €15 million for the services of the 29-year-old, which is half of what Barcelona want for him.
So, it remains to be seen if Inter are willing to up their offer to meet the €30 million valuation. Even then, Coutinho’s salary demands could be an issue for the Nerazzurri, who themselves are not doing all too well financially and had to sell some of their main players in the summer.