Philippe Coutinho has cut a frustrated, distraught figure at Barcelona after failing to make the desired impact following his 142 million euros move from Liverpool. Not being played in his desired position, injuries and not getting an extended run in the team has heavily damaged the Brazilian’s confidence.
Barcelona are going into the summer with an aim to offload unwanted players and massively trim the wage bill in an attempt to replenish the club treasury. Coutinho earns around €13.5 million per season at Barcelona but there is a feeling that he hasn’t repaid the faith shown in him. The 28-year-old is expandable at Barcelona and could leave in the summer.
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Previously, Coutinho was linked with a move to the Premier League. Arsenal and Everton were said to be interested in signing the Brazilian but now that talk has died down as the Gunners are focusing on other targets and the Toffees were forced to shift their attention to appointing a new manager after Carlo Ancelotti left for Real Madrid.
According to another report, the Catalans had offered Coutinho back to Liverpool. Barca still owes the Reds 50 million euros but the Merseyside club had sold off the debt to a third party meaning that the Spanish giants will still have to pay the outstanding amount.
Marseille want to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona
Now, as per a report from Mundo Deportivo, Olympique Marseille are dreaming of Coutinho. Marseille are aiming to strengthen their squad this summer as they play in the Europa League next season. The French club also wants to challenge for the Ligue 1 title that was won by LOSC Lille this year. In order to complete these objectives, a competitive squad will be must for Jorge Sampaoli, who is overseeing his first transfer window as Marseille manager.
Les Phoceens are very close to agreeing to a deal for midfielder Gerson for 30 million euros. Marseille president Pablo Longoria wants to please Sampaoli and hence dreams of signing Coutinho. The Argentine manager likes Coutinho’s profile but any deal for Marseille will be tricky.
The former Liverpool man has two years left on his current deal at Camp Nou and his salary can be a potential hurdle for the French side but they are trying to get close to the player’s surroundings. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old continues to recover after two knee operations and is recuperating in Brazil. He’s expected to be 100% fit before the start of the new season.
Will Philippe Coutinho leave Barcelona this summer?