Philippe Coutinho has endured a miserable campaign in his first full season at Barcelona.
When he arrived in January 2018, he told the assembled media that he “hoped to meet all expectations”, conscious that a £142million price tag could weigh heavy on his shoulders.
Sadly, the feeling among the fans and one seemingly shared by Ernesto Valverde, is that he has struggled to fulfil that promise.
In 2018/19, the Brazilian has scored just four league goals and started just over half of the Blaugrana’s La Liga fixtures.
The “dream” move the 26-year-old spoke about is fast turning into a nightmare and there has long been talk that the champions are willing to cut their losses.
A return to the Premier League looks the most likely outcome, with Manchester United being heavily linked. Widespread reports have also suggested Paris Saint-Germain remain interested.
The question is whether Coutinho is ready to call it quits. The answer, at least according to Sport? Absolutely.
The Catalan publication state that the playmaker has already told his team-mates he could well be leaving this summer for a change of scene and wants to regain the sensation he enjoyed at Liverpool of being the club’s main star.
In the presence of Lionel Messi, he knows that will never be possible at the Nou Camp. The Argentine himself is said to have been hugely supportive of his fellow South American, as has Luis Suarez, who views Coutinho’s problem as merely a dip in form.
The player’s representatives were told the same thing when they met with the club’s hierarchy. As a consequence, he is not officially up for sale, but nobody wants to see him continue in his current situation.
It should be said too, that he is yet to hand in a formal transfer request.
In his final year on Merseyside, Coutinho was given huge credit for his professionalism. Even when he wanted to leave, he got his head down and continued to perform.
While the latter might not be true in Catalonia and he is struggling to rediscover his best form, he is continuing to give his best in the hope that he can belatedly turn things around.
Yet Coutinho knows better than anyone that he is quickly running out of time.
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