Rumour Has It: Barcelona plan to use Coutinho as makeweight if he returns
Barcelona know what they want to do with Philippe Coutinho should the attacker return to the club from Bayern Munich.
Coutinho is on a season-long loan at the Bundesliga club, who have an option to buy the Brazil international at the end of the campaign.
But Barca reportedly already have plans in place if the 27-year-old comes back to Camp Nou.
TOP STORY – BARCELONA PLAN TO USE COUTINHO AS MAKEWEIGHT IF HE RETURNS
Barcelona will use Coutinho as a makeweight in any of the huge deals they are planning in the close season, according to Sport.
The LaLiga giants are reportedly again targeting Neymar, who was linked with a return but ended up staying at Paris Saint-Germain last year.
PSG and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in Coutinho, although Bayern have a €120million option to buy the playmaker.
#FCB | El Barça aún confía que el Bayern ejecute la opción de compra de Coutinhohttps://t.co/6EH4ph3G7D
— Diario SPORT (@sport) March 5, 2020
ROUND-UP
- Juventus' interest in Mauro Icardi is ongoing. CalcioMercato reports Juve still want the forward, who is on loan at PSG from Inter, with the Ligue 1 club holding a €70m purchase option. Goal reports Juventus are also monitoring Santos teenager Kaio Jorge, who has a €50m release clause.
- Linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Leroy Sane may yet remain at Manchester City. The Telegraph reports the attacker, who has been sidelined with a serious knee injury, will consider staying at the Premier League club beyond this season.
Leroy Sane weighs up option of staying at Manchester City after all | @mcgrathmike https://t.co/0QEn5NlHJl
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) March 5, 2020
- Hirving Lozano's Napoli stay may be short-lived. Corriere dello Sport reports Atletico Madrid have their sights set on the Mexico international, who is out of favour under Gennaro Gattuso in his first season at the Serie A club.
- Having dealt with defensive problems this season, Manchester City seemingly have a solution in mind. CalcioMercato reports the Premier League giants are ready to again make a move for Inter defender Milan Skriniar, a player they have been linked to previously.
- Already up to 15 goals this season, Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears set to be rewarded for his good form. The Times report the 22-year-old – apparently a target for Manchester United previously – is ready to sign a deal until 2025 with the Premier League club.
- Arsenal have started talks over a move for Feyenoord's 19-year-old playmaker Orkun Kokcu for £23m (€26.5m), according to the Daily Mail.