Double blow for Liverpool as Philippe Coutinho Barcelona transfer could see Manchester United target push for move

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Coutinho’s departure could help United strengthen!

Philippe Coutinho’s potential transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona could end up helping Manchester United sign rumoured target Ivan Rakitic from the Catalan giants.

Coutinho was a top target for Barcelona during the summer, with BBC Sport reporting at the time that the club saw three bids rejected by Liverpool for the Brazil international.

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The Daily Mail recently reported that Barca were set to try again for Coutinho in January, though Sport have also listed Paris Saint-Germain as potential suitors.

While Liverpool will be desperate to keep hold of their star player, they will also want to avoid potentially strengthening one of their biggest rivals if the move does go through.

According to Don Balon, that could well be the case as Rakitic is not willing to continue at the Nou Camp if Coutinho comes and takes his place as first choice in Ernesto Valverde’s side.

The 25-year-old is a similar style of player and could fill a deeper role than he does at Anfield due to the presence of the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele up front.

This follows recent claims by Diario Gol that United were interested in Rakitic, and that they could even strike a deal by offering Anthony Martial to the La Liga outfit in an exchange deal.

The Croatia international would certainly make a fine addition for a United side sweating over the future of two key midfielders, with the Telegraph reporting today that they are desperately trying to tie Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera down to new contracts.

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