Marcus Banks has urged Liverpool to seriously consider a move for Philippe Coutinho in the summer, with the Brazil international reportedly available for the cut-price fee of £35m.
The forward has struggled to replicate the form that prompted a big-money move to Barcelona in 2018, with injuries further plaguing his time with the Catalan giant.
“For me, I think it’s a no-brainer for the £35m that is being talked about. Liverpool should be all over that,” the journalist spoke on the Blood Red podcast.
“Especially when you factor in that you possibly get £15m in for Marko Grujic, possibly £10-15m for Harry Wilson in the summer; swapping those players who probably have no future at Liverpool for a player of Coutinho’s calibre who is 28, approaching his prime, Premier League proven, and similar to the way Thiago Alcantara was signed to just offer something different to Liverpool. I think it should be a no-brainer.
“If you look at Man City, a player like Bernardo Silva who’s sort of similar, can play in the centre of midfield, out wide; he doesn’t start every game but he is there to offer Pep Guardiola options.
“Coutinho is a bit of a no-brainer; I think he would suit the Liverpool team now more than he suits Barcelona because he would offer something better on the left if you want to switch Mane.”
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Could we see Coutinho return to Anfield?
The Brazilian magician was an absolute fan-favourite, having delighted the stands with his technical ability and moments of magic on the pitch.
To have all that back for £35m – after having parted ways for £142m three years ago – would, on paper, make a certain amount of sense.
That being said, with those close to the club certain that Jurgen Klopp has his mind set on a younger forward, of a similar age group to Diogo Jota (if not younger), the 28-year-old doesn’t quite fit the bill.
There’s certainly an argument, of course, to have Philippe available as a midfield option, though one might imagine that, should Gini Wijnaldum leave on a free in the summer, the recruitment team will prioritise a like-for-like instead of an intrinsically forward-minded player.
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