Euro Paper Talk: Barcelona tempt Liverpool with bargain Coutinho fee

Barcelona are ready to sell Philippe Coutinho for a massive loss, news which could alert Liverpool, while Tottenham look to have been dealt a blow to their hopes of signing Paulo Dybala this summer, according to Friday’s Euro Paper Talk.

 

BARCELONA NAME THEIR PRICE FOR COUTINHO 

Barcelona are prepared to let Phillippe Coutinho leave the club for a fee within the region of £67m in the summer, according to reports.

The Catalan giants paid a whopping £142m to sign the Brazilian from back in 2018, only for the playmaker to be shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich for the season with an option to buy for €120m.

At this stage it looks highly unlikely that Bayern will take up that option, leaving Coutinho to return to Barca at the end of the season.

And Mundo Deportivo reports that the former Reds star does not appear to be in new manager Quique Setien plans.

The report goes on to add that the LaLiga outfit will consider selling Coutinho when the summer transfer window opens and that they would even offload him for a reduced fee.

 

The publication claims they may sell for as little as £67million, which would represent a massive loss for Barcelona and could prove to be a bargain addition to Jurgen Klopp’s squad – should the German decide that he needs to add a creative midfielder to his ranks.

However, if that is the case then Klopp is more likely to move for young Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, who at 20 would almost certainly represent better value but may take time to settle in the Premier League – something that would not be the case for Coutinho.

 

AND THE REST

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala, who was wanted by Tottenham in the summer, is close to agreeing a new deal with the Bianconeri (Tuttosport)

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Carlo Ancelotti wanted to be reunited with his former Napoli charge Piotr Zielinski during the winter transfer window (CalcioNapoli24 TV)

Inter are leading the race to sign highly-rated Brescia and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali (Tuttosport)

Manchester United have joined Tottenham in the race for Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir (Hurriyet)

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior has dismissed speculation over a move to PSG, insisting he wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu

Lyon have opened talks with club captain Memphis Depay over a new contract (L’Equipe)

Manchester City have identified Villarreal defender and Spain international Pau Torres to bolster their backline (Football Espana)

Inter Milan tried to sign Franck Kessie from rivals AC Milan in January (Calciomercato)

Parma reportedly tried to bring back Sebastian Giovinco at the end of the January transfer window (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Thiago Silva wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain, but the club would rather offload him at the end of the season (L’Equipe)

Thiago Silva TEAMtalk

Barcelona will not pay any commission to agent Jorge Mendes for the signing of 20-year-old Portuguese forward Francisco Trincao from Braga (Mundo Deportivo)

Real Betis striker Loren Moron is an option being considered by Barcelona, according to a report (Marca)

Roma are unlikely to do a permanent deal for Chris Smalling due to Manchester United’s asking price

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Vargic has joined Russian second tier side Koper on loan