Coutinho Admits Barcelona Interest

December 7, 2017 4:37 pm | BY: John Rainey

Phil Coutinho has said he was interested in a move to Barcelona last summer and admits that he does not know what the future holds for him.

Coutinho, who scored a hat trick in Liverpool’s demolition of Spartak Moscow on Wednesday night at Anfield said: “I do not know how the future is going to be,”

“What will happen in January, we will know it in January. I do not know if there will be an offer.”

“Last summer there was a job offer in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it. Since I stayed I have played with will and desire.”

“Of course a lot happened in the summer but my will is always to play and do the best wherever I am – that has not changed.”

“I am here (at Liverpool), we have a lot of games and I try to do my best to help. I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters,”

Barcelona have continued their pursuit of Coutinho and the Spanish media have played a very active roll in unsettling the player both during the summer and continually since Liverpool rejected all 3 of Barcelona’s bids for him.

The bids were reported to be £72m, £90m and £114m. While Liverpool rejected all three bids, it was reported at the time that Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group valued the talented Brazilian at £135m.

Coutinho was seen as a replacement for his fellow countryman and close friend Neymar who moved from Barcelona to Parig St-Germain in the summer for a world record £200m fee.

This saga has continued to rumble on since the summer and is unlikely to go away anytime soon.

Recent reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona are ready to come back for Coutinho in January with some suggesting that a deal has already been done. This is all paper speculation of course and respected Spanish football journalist, Guillem Balagué has rubbished these reports.

With Liverpool qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday night, it would make little sense for Coutinho to opt for a January move. Coutinho would be unable to play for Barcelona in the competition as he is cup tied.

Coutinho has scored 9 goals and provided 7 assists in all competitions so far this season even though he has missed 8 games in total through injury.

Coutinho moved to Liverpool from Inter Milan in January 2013 for a fee of £8.5m on the recommendation of Rafa Benitez and has scored 51 goals and provided 44 assists in his 195 games for the club.

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4	Watford	2	2	0	0	6
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