Barca’s Coutinho price-tag named as Klopp deems Phil too expensive

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Liverpool will not be signing Coutinho this summer, which will please some fans and disappoint others.

Our former Brazilian no.10, who left Anfield in 2018 to join Barcelona, has struggled in Spain and is now down Ernesto Valverde’s pecking order following the arrival of Antoine Griezmann and the potential re-signing of Neymar.

According to Mundo Deportivo, which is a Catalan source, Barcelona are looking to recoup €120m for the playmaker, which translates to around £107m – a very large sum for a player who is essentially no longer needed.

Jurgen Klopp told ESPN’s Melissa Reddy that Coutinho is not on Liverpool’s summer agenda, despite the fact of his brilliance, because he’d cost crazy money – and he’s been proven right.

“It’s not about that. I like Phil, I think he’s a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it’s not our year for that,” he said. 

“It’s just not possible. As I said, having him would make each team better — us included — but I really hope that he finds his luck at Barcelona.”

If Coutinho really struggles for minutes, then perhaps a January loan may be on the cards.

His agent Kia Joorabchian told the press [cited here in F365] a week back that if Phil were to leave to an English club, “It would have to be Liverpool”.

This sounds like the 27-year-old is pining for a move back to the club, manager and fans who made him great – but unless Liverpool are going to be getting a massive bargain – it’s just not going to happen.

Barca’s pursuit of Neymar may play a big part in what occurs next.

 

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