It looks like Coutinho will be leaving Barcelona and returning to the Premier League, Reds.
But despite his agent Kia Joorabchian explaining a few weeks ago how it would be difficult for his client to play for any of Liverpool’s English rivals, it appears that Phil may be closing in on an English switch – with Spurs – the side we beat in the Champions League Final just over two months ago – appearing most likely.
This is according to the Telegraph, who confirm that Barca have told Coutinho he can leave the club on loan – with Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United potential Premier League suitors.
Julien Laurens though has emphatically declared that Arsenal are only interested in a centre-back and won’t move for our former no.10, while we simply cannot see the 27-year-old signing for United.
The Telegraph says Liverpool are not in the running – and we’d likely suggest that has much to do with the £21m loan fee it will require to snare Coutinho – who we’d also predict is desperate for an Anfield switch based on these quotes.
“I would be very difficult for Philippe to play for any of Liverpool’s rivals, because he has such a great affinity towards Liverpool. His time there was fantastic,” Joorabchian told the Echo mid-July.
“Yes, but like all big players at some point, you want to experience a different thing in your career because your career is very short, but it [his Anfield exit] has no reflection on the fact his heart and affinity is very much with Liverpool.”
Tottenham are also being heavily linked with Juventus playmaker Paulo Dybala [Guardian], and we cannot imagine they’ll sign both the Argentine and Coutinho – so if they do snare the Serie A based attacker – the options for Phil seems to be running out.
At EOTK, we’d be delighted if Liverpool made a romantic move to resurrect Coutinho’s career, but it simply doesn’t seem on the cards – sadly.