Reports: Barcelona could sell £142m star to fund a deal to sign Neymar
What's the story?
According to the Evening Standard, Barcelona are considering selling Philippe Coutinho in order to fund a move to re-sign Neymar from PSG in summer.
In case you didn't know...
Phillipe Coutinho joined Barcelona for £142 million from Liverpool in the January transfer window of 2018 and is touted as the natural successor to Andres Iniesta.
It began well enough for the Brazillian at the Camp Nou and he scored 10 goals in 22 appearances during his first half season with the club. However, he suffered from injuries and a bad form this season and started only in one of Barca's last five games.
The former Liverpool star is being linked with a shock switch to Manchester United and is edging closer to a sensational Catalonia exit just a year after joining the club from the Reds.
On the other hand, Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos in 2013 and enjoyed a great spell with the Blaugrana before leaving the club to join Paris St. Germain for a world-record transfer fee in the summer of 2017.
The heart of the matter
Ben Hayward, a Spanish football expert, in his writing in the Evening Standard, claimed that the Catalan giants are looking to offload Liverpool’s former no.10 in order to fund a move for Neymar – likely this summer.
Coutinho is currently behind Ousmane Dembele in Barcelona’s pecking order, after coach Ernesto Valverde concluded that 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 finally began to show his undeniable talent more consistently.
Hayward also claimed that Neymar already held meetings with Barca about an emotional return to Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi speaking up the possibility over Christmas.
Rumour Ratings: 3/10
Neymar is being linked with a move back to his former club during the recent weeks but the switch is less likely to happen.
Moreover, Barca director, Guillermo Amor recently assured Phillipe Coutinho that his place in the club is still very much important, especially as he has a lot to offer the team.
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