Barcelona choose to leave Coutinho with move for German star
By David Gate
Barcelona are ready to move on from Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho as they decide to move for Arsenal’s Mesut Özil next summer on a free.
Most Liverpool fans were happy that Liverpool and FSG stood strong to Barcelona last summer. They went hard after a move for Philippe Coutinho in the wake of the record-breaking £200 million sale of Neymar.
However most supporters believe that Coutinho will only spend one more season at Anfield before that transfer would finally go through. Now it appears Barcelona are going to make a cheaper move by signing Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil.
The German star has yet to sign a new contract at the club and is available to sign a pre-contract in January. While the Catalans would far rather have the Brazilian they know Liverpool will demand a top 3 all time transfer fee for him; something north of the £135 million they paid for Ousmane Dembele.
Where once Coutinho’s exit seemed inevitable there have been some recent signs that is not guaranteed. During the summer it seemed his close friend Alberto Moreno was heading for the door. A dramatic turn around in his form and favor with Jurgen Klopp means he is now a first team fixture.
There is also the evidence on the pitch. If you contrast the performances of two players rumored to leave in 2018 – Emre Can & Coutinho – you will see a marked difference. It looks as though Can is playing out the season with just enough effort to stay in Germany’s World Cup picture.
Coutinho is playing like a man who wants to see the Reds win. He has 5 goals and 4 assists in his * starts this season. His reaction was exuberant after scoring the Liverpool’s third goal on Saturday against Southampton.
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The Liverpool attack is just starting to fire on all cylinders. Reds fans will be delighted with the prospect of keeping Coutinho for a season or two longer.