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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Philippe Coutinho and Inigo Martinez

By Chiranjib Ghosh

PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - JULY 10: Inigo Martinez of Real Sociedad at the Pre Season Friendly between Celtic and Real Sociedad at St Mirren Park on July 10th, 2015 in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images)
PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - JULY 10: Inigo Martinez of Real Sociedad at the Pre Season Friendly between Celtic and Real Sociedad at St Mirren Park on July 10th, 2015 in Paisley, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff Holmes/Getty Images) /
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Ronaldinho issues warning to Barcelona over Philippe Coutinho approach

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Ronaldhino displays his customized jersey at Niketown to celebrate the Club’s arrival to New York on September 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for Barca)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 07: Ronaldhino displays his customized jersey at Niketown to celebrate the Club’s arrival to New York on September 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images for Barca) /

Robert Fernandez had been tracking Philippe Coutinho for over a season before submitting an offer this summer. It was a €80 million offer. But Liverpool rejected it. Robert followed it up with a €100 million offer. But Liverpool rejected that too.

Ronaldinho has come up with a theory to explain this situation.

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"He said, “There are only very few players in the world who can replace Neymar and I have said that I think Coutinho could play for them.”He is at a level where he could come and fill the gap left by Neymar. But Liverpool will know his worth and after the fees of this summer it will cost Barcelona.There is no doubt that Barcelona will try and replace Neymar. But the problem they have is that clubs now know their financial position.The fee for Neymar has been made public and opposition clubs will know that Barcelona have all that money. They are not going to let their best players go cheaply.”"

This is a very valid theory. The much publicised Neymar transfer could end up hurting Barcelona, and in the wrong places, especially in the pursuit of his replacement.

Inigo Martinez nears Barcelona move


Inigo Martinez has been tracked by Barca scouts for a long time. Many top European clubs, including Manchester City have expressed interest in him. But Martinez has always been loyal to his boyhood club, Real Sociedad.

But Barca have finally made a move on him. According to Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Barcelona will activate his €32 million release clause. Apparently, Ernesto Valverde had requested the club to sign a new central defender and Robert Fernandez targeted Inigo Martinez.

Valverde is not of the opinion that Thomas Vermaelen and Marlon are good enough to provide quality cover. While Marlon is still developing and has a bright future at the club, Vermaelen is a deadweight. Therefore, the signing of Inigo Martinez is a necessity.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his Real Sociedad counterpart Jokin Aperribay share a warm relationship and the transfer will not leave hard feelings.

Next: Paris Saint-Germain announce Neymar signing

Inigo Martinez is going to be a good addition to the squad. In the Spanish media, he is known as a ‘captain in the shadows’. Barca’s defence needs such a figure to propel it into one of the best in the world.

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