Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is reportedly keen on signing for Barcelona, with a move last year failing to come to fruition.
The Brazilian international is an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans at Anfield, and he has proven his importance to the side with four goals and four assists in the Premier League so far this season.
However, according to Sport, the Reds should be concerned about losing him to Barcelona next summer as it’s claimed that the 24-year-old could have moved to the Nou Camp last summer but the circumstances weren’t right.
The report ultimately insists that Coutinho wants to play for Barcelona, but the La Liga champions ruled out the transfer in the last transfer window due to his valuation and the fact that coach Luis Enrique felt he needed to strengthen his squad in other departments.
However, it’s added that the Catalan outfit know Coutinho’s preference is to join them and not rivals Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain, and they may well choose to revisit the transfer next year.
Provided they do so, it won’t be easy to prise him away from Anfield as Liverpool will be desperate to keep him and ensure he remains a pivotal part of their push for trophies in the coming years.
Having sold the likes of Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling in recent years for big money, Klopp will undoubtedly be keen to avoid the club continuing to earn a reputation of being a selling club and keeping Coutinho will be crucial.
Sport claim that the concern is already evident at Liverpool though, as they are ready to offer Coutinho a new contract despite the fact that he signed an extension to 2020 less than a year ago.