Phillipe Coutinho could open the door to a return to Liverpool this summer, according to the Express.
The 27-year-old’s future at Barcelona looks less than certain at the moment, and the Reds are one of a number of clubs credited with having an interest in offering him an escape route.
Manchester United are also mentioned as a potential destination, but the understanding is that the Brazilian would not move to Old Trafford out of loyalty to his former employers.
The report goes on to say that a return to Anfield is a possibility, although PSG are said to be monitoring the situation and could accept Coutinho as part of a player plus cash deal involving Neymar.
OPINION
Not to be a sourpuss, but this isn’t going to happen. Coutinho is a fine talent, there can be no doubting that, but he has struggled to really hit the heights that he did in England since his move to Barcelona. His stats are still eye-catching, with a pass completion rate of 87.9% and 1.3 key passes per game last season [Whoscored], but that isn’t always enough for a club and a fanbase that demands perfection over in Spain, and it really does feel like a matter of time before the playmaker leaves Barca. Does that mean he will return to Liverpool though? No, especially not this summer. Jurgen Klopp has been clear insofar that he doesn’t want to go over the top in the transfer market, and it’s hard to imagine a deal that would be as excessive as re-signing Coutinho. It’s a nice idea, but it won’t happen.
