In 2012, just before he arrived at Liverpool, Coutinho was on the verge of signing for Southampton!
The Premier League club had agreed a deal with the Italians, and were actually going to pay €12m for his services.
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This is according to former chairman Nicola Cortese.
Former @SouthamptonFC exec chmn Nicola Cortese has revealed he agreed a €12m deal with @Inter for Philippe Coutinho in 2012
— Jim White (@JimWhite) September 12, 2017
However, a deal fell through, Coutinho moved to Espanyol on loan, before signing permanently for Liverpool in January 2013.
The fact the club turned down an offer worth £118m for his services in summer 2017 shows what a masterstroke his purchase was.
At some point, it appears all our best players have some kind of flirtation with Southampton before moving on to bigger and better things!
This evening, Coutinho is likely to make his Liverpool return for the first time this season.
The Brazilian has been out of action with a transfer-request induced bad back, but after our weekend humiliation, he’s sure to enter the fray once more.