According to reports, Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is set to finally leave the club putting Manchester United in the pole position to sign the Brazilian international. The former Liverpool star joined the Blaugrana last year Janaury but has found it difficult to settle in.
The Brazilian has just a total of eighteen league appearances with eight coming as starts while he also has just ten goals and five assists in all competitions this season. According to reports, Barcelona authorities are considering cutting their losses and are willing to sell him this summer.
The former Liverpool man is also said to be considering his future at the club following broken promises from Barcelona. According to the Mirror, Coutinho is angry Barcelona have not satisfied his wish of playing him in his prefered number ten role even after Andres Iniesta exit from the club.
Manchester United have been most strongly linked with a transfer for the Brazilian, who previously set the Premier League alight at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are not believed to be interested in re-signing the player, which gives United an advantage should they decide to go all out to land Coutinho.
But Manchester United have another advantage in the race for Coutinho. Back in 2018 Barcelona promised the Brazilian midfielder that he would be their long-term replacement for club legend Andres Iniesta.
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At the time Coutinho was being deployed in a deep-lying central role for Liverpool and, despite having previously played as a winger, looked at home in the middle of the park.
Barcelona then made him the club’s most expensive transfer, with Coutinho set to continue playing in a central role at the Nou Camp. But the Brazilian was quickly shifted out wide to compete with the much faster Ousmane Dembele for a place on the wing, and has struggled to shine.
Manchester United could lose Paul Pogba in the summer after the Frenchman recently revealed it is his dream to play for Real Madrid.
Ander Herrera could also be on his way out the door, meaning the Red Devils will have money to spend and a need to add class to their central midfield. Coutinho, it seems, is becoming an ever-attractive proposition for Manchester United.
Coutinho will have a chance his suitors when Manchester United hosts Barcelona in their Champions League quarter final encounter next Wednesday at Old Trafford.