Report: Barcelona suggest sending Coutinho back to Liverpool

AS have brought to light the list of casualties for Barcelona in the upcoming summer transfer window as Joan Laporta prepares for a major overhaul to ease the club’s financial burden, with potential exits for many heavyweights like Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba looming.

Amid these names, the imminent sale of Philippe Coutinho is also a subject of much discussion, as Barcelona are reportedly proposing a return for the Brazilian to his former club Liverpool. His wages pose a major problem as Barcelona are trying to trim their salary bill, while they also owe the Merseyside outfit a fair amount of money for the transfer.

Coutinho arrived at Barcelona from Liverpool in January of 2018, and after a promising start to his stint in Blaugrana, he has failed to replicate any of the success he had during his time in the Premier League. After a change of scenery with a season-loan to Bayern Munich, he has then been sidelined due to injury since his return.

The Brazilian became Barcelona’s most expensive signing of all time. The way his fees were amortised by the previous board has been a major factor in denting the Catalans’ finances. Liverpool reportedly are still yet to receive approximately 50 million euros for the midfielder.

For one reason after another, some within his control and some beyond, Philippe Coutinho has faltered at Barcelona and has failed to repay the sporting and financial faith put into him despite his undeniable quality. However, it now looks like his time at the club is over, perhaps rightfully so.

Barcelona will aim to squeeze as much value out of a potential move away for him as possible, and look to the future to try and fix their finances.