Philippe Coutinho to Make Bacelona Move as Liverpool are Ready to Negotiate in January

Liverpool are understood to be ready to negotiate the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona either during the coming January transfer window or in the summer. Spanish publication Sport claims the Merseysiders have softened their stance after Coutinho's agents recently met in Boston with representatives of Fenway Sports Group to make it clear that the Brazilian ace still wants a move to the Nou Camp.

Coutinho, 25, only signed a new deal, reportedly worth around £150,000-a-week, in January to become the highest-paid player at Liverpool.

However, the Brazilian tried to force a move to Barcelona during the summer after being identified as a top priority for Ernesto Valverde's side.

The Spanish giants launched multiple offers to complete the move, but eventually opted against matching the €200m (£176m) demands made by Liverpool.

Last week Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu suggested that the club would not make a new attempt to sign him in January.

"Right now there is nothing planned for the January window. [Technical secretary] Robert Fernandez, [sporting football manager] Pep Segura and their team will work to see if they believe it is necessary to do something," Bartomeu said when to TVEwhen asked if Barcelona will make a new attempt to sign the Liverpool star ahead of the second part of the season.

"I will not say how much we offered, but they asked for €200m. We weren't going to give €200m or €150m – we decided to step away from such an expensive market, our offer was less than €100m, with add-ons it could have reached €120m."

However, Sport claims that Barcelona are still working with Coutinho's entourage in a bid to complete the move during the coming January market – or at least in the summer.

Indeed, the Spanish publication says the Catalans are more optimistic than ever, with Liverpool being finally open to parting ways with the Brazilian ace for a reasonable prize.

The report says Liverpool refused to negotiate the departure of Coutinho during the summer in the hope that the Brazilian could help Jurgen Klopp's side to battle for the Premier League title this season.

Credit - IBTimes

Comments

Roma Midfielder Signs New Deal with Italian Club

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Belgium international had been linked with Manchester United in Italian media, while Chelsea were also reported to be interested. This was coupled by suggestions that Nainggolan was growing impatient with the numerous delays in receiving a contract proposal from the capital club. However, the 29-year-old has put any doubts about his future to bed by extending his contract until 2021, in a deal that will see him earn €4.5 million per season, including bonuses, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think I have demonstrated that this is what I always wanted," Nainggolan said. "I'm very happy that the club and I can continue our adventure and move forward together." Nainggolan has played 161 times for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014. Nainggolan becomes the third senior central midfielder to extend their contract at Roma th...

Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United Need, Says Fortmer Tottenham Manager

The signing of a proven world-class forward such as Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United need to compete for the biggest prizes, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis has said. Sanchez, 29, joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Arsenal on Monday, 22 January, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction in a straight-swap deal. "Sanchez is a real goal-scorer, he's talented and he's aggressive around the box and he makes things happen, he can pull teams through," he told Sky Sports.Francis described the Chilean forward as a match-winner who will aid United in their quest to win silverware by adding some much-needed potency to their attack. "It's [about] the present, you're looking to win trophies and looking to win competitions and, sometimes, you need to buy and have the finished article and Sanchez is certainly that. "It just makes them as a squad that much stronger. Certainly, a much bigger goal-threat with Sa...

‘Chelsea Needs more Bodies in Midfield' - Frank Lampard Advises Antonio Conte to Make Key Tactical Change against Roma

Frank Lampard has told Antonio Conte to revert to the gameplan which saw Chelsea overcome Atletico Madrid when they face Roma in the Champions League tonight. The Premier League champions will hope to solidify their position in Group C when they meet the same opposition who were unlucky to be held to a thrilling 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago. Conte has largely stuck with the 3-4-3 formation which brought his side so much success last season but Lampard believes it is imperative he packs the midfield against the Serie A side, in much the same way he did against Atletico last month. On that night Cesc Fabregas, Timeoue Bakayoko and N’Golo Kante dominated the middle of the park, contributing to a 2-1 victory that represented Chelsea’s most complete performance of the season so far. Kante’s likely return from a three-week injury-enforced absence will come as a welcome boost to his manager who was forced to deploy David Luiz in midfield against Roma in the reve...

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog