The biggest disappointments in life are the failures least expected – just ask Barcelona and Philippe Coutinho.
Indeed this was a marriage expected to bring plenty of joy and by extension longevity, yet already a schism has emerged.
Having burned so brightly in the early stages of his Barca career after switching from Liverpool for a club-record fee in January 2018, personality, position and competition has shunted Coutinho into the shadows.
His narrative seems to reflect that of No10s across Europe who appear to be a dying breed because just like James Rodriguez, Isco and Paulo Dybala, the Brazilian lacks the athleticism to be effective out wide and the work rate to feature in a midfield three.
Now it appears Coutinho could be set to re-enter the market with Barcelona reportedly keen to offload one of their midfielders as the latest expensive acquisition Frenkie de Jong gets set to join the mix.
Yet just like the aforementioned trio, Coutinho’s options appear short. He’s too costly to sit on the bench for Barca and his pedigree deserves more, but who realistically could make a move?
PSG
Ironically, PSG’s interest hinges on the potential movement of a player who forced Barca into making such a brouhaha about Coutinho.
The Catalan giants freaked out when Neymar departed for the Parisians and it coincided with the imminent exit of Andres Iniesta.
At the time, Coutinho was viewed as a short-term solution out wide while peering into the future, he was to be anointed as heir to Iniesta.
He’s failed in both positions, though. The 26-year-old obviously doesn’t fit Ernesto Valverde’s system which requires attacking vivacity and work rate behind the ball. Should Neymar, who continues to be linked with Barca and Real Madrid, leave then PSG is the most realistic landing spot for Coutinho.
Of course, there’s a lot of moving parts here but Coutinho’s profile fits and with Brazilian counterparts like Thiago Silva and Marquinhos at the club, it wouldn’t be hard for him to assimilate.
A transfer is still feasible even without Neymar leaving, but then Coutinho would be left in a similar situation to the one he currently deals with.
From his perspective, Paris is an attractive city having struggled to settle in Liverpool, yet it remains to be seen if PSG will have the financial flexibility to target a player they were interested in before he moved to the Blaugrana.
Bayern Munich
One European giant which will undergo massive changes in the summer is Bayern Munich.
As evidenced by their limited display in the Champions League against Liverpool, a fresh squad overhaul is required and it’s a process already under way.
France left-back Benajmin Pavard has already signed, countryman Lucas Hernandez is set to follow plus Germany’s golden boys Kai Havertz and Timo Werner are strongly linked.
There is of course James but maybe Coutinho offers something he does not which would attract the Bavarians.
While at Liverpool, Coutinho was afforded the freedom to roam and blitz from the left, scoring and creating goals of the highest quality.
Left wing cutting in was his signature. The wide areas for Bayern is a clear area for investment with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery expected to leave in the summer.
While Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry are talented, either persistent injuries or inconsistency means Bayern just don’t have enough penetration out wide.
Coutinho can solve this issue. The problem is finances.
Corentin Tolisso is Bayern’s biggest ever outlay costing just €41.5million and for a club which traditionally profits from the free market, Barca’s asking price of €80m-100m could prove problematic.
Liverpool
There are two things to consider in a reunion with Liverpool.
One, would Coutinho really want to go back? Two, is there really appetite from the club to encourage a return?
The initial thinking for both is a resounding no. Now, the Premier League is a plausible destination because it’s a style of football Coutinho had figured out.
He found his tune in England, dancing around players, baiting, dribbling and scoring.
But Countho’s not found the right notes in Spain, his virtues have become vices. He’s been criticised for awkward touches and misjudged movements, an extrovert who screamed skill on the ball has all of a sudden retreated into his shell, unsure of himself.
A familiar platform could be the answer, however, while Liverpool haven’t adequately replaced the former Inter Milan playmaker, Jurgen Klopp appears to have moved on.
It’s difficult to see how this comes to fruition.
Manchester United
If Coutinho can ignore the possible violation of smearing his Liverpool career by joining Manchester United, then here is a transfer which could suit all parties.
It’s clear that the Red Devils will be one of the bigger spenders in the summer and so being linked with Coutinho only makes sense.
There are three positions to consider, all with varying degrees of importance for United. Right wing is the biggest problem area but this probably negates Coutinho’s biggest weapon which is to cut inside onto his right foot and bend signature strikes into the far corner.
The opposite wing is intriguing but then there’s already Anthony Martial on that side and the Frenchman has looked awkward on the right or through the middle.
Perhaps the No10 slot would work best with the ability to feed Marcus Rashford through the middle and Martial to his left.
But then what is Paul Pogba’s role? Financially United have the clout, it just depends on whether they can see Coutinho as the right fit for them.
Juventus
The circumstances behind this potential transfer are kind of similar to Bayern in that Dybala’s future is central to any switch.
And not just the Argentine, Juventus are so stacked in attack that it would need another name to be taken out because there’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Douglas Costa, Mario Mandzukic, Federico Bernardeschi and Juan Cuadrado all carrying plenty of ability in the attacking areas. Don’t forget, Aaron Ramsey will join in the summer as well.
Out of the five examined, the Italian outfit is the one which arguably makes the least sense.