Big Coutinho news: Respected journalist confirms Barca’s plans for Phil

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Just one year on from Barcelona signing Coutinho for £142m, the Catalan giants are looking to offload Liverpool’s former no.10 in order to fund a move for Neymar – likely this summer.

That’s the huge claims from Ben Hayward, a Spanish football expert, writing in the Evening Standard.

Coutinho is currently behind Ousmane Dembele in Barcelona’s pecking order, after coach Ernesto Valverde decided he couldn’t trust Phil as part of the midfield three.

Instead, he comes off the bench for either Luis Suarez or the Frenchman, who’s finally begun to show his undeniable talent more consistently.

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Hayward claims Neymar has already held meetings with Barca about an emotional return to Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi speaking up the possibility over Christmas.

Since arriving at Barca, Coutinho has won La Liga and the Spanish Cup, and will likely win the first of those again this term.

However, he’s not going to be entirely content with his role as a sub and the fact he’s failed to show his genius with enough regularity.

He’s started just nine games domestically, scoring five goals in all competitions, not befitting a player of his ability.

Barca still owe Liverpool plenty of money for Coutinho, as the original deal included instalments and add-on clauses – so financially it would make sense for them to sell him back to us.

There’s no suggestion Jurgen Klopp would want Coutinho back, however, or that the club would sanction the very large sum it would take to acquire him – especially considering the manner in which he forced an exit.

For now, we’ll watch this space.

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