Why Liverpool ducked Coutinho return; agent opens door for Tottenham

Liverpool reportedly pulled out of the running to re-sign Philippe Coutinho last summer, meanwhile the Brazilian’s agent has opened the door on a transfer to Tottenham.

According to the Daily Mirror, Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards  met to discuss the possibility of bringing Coutinho back to Anfield in a sensational summer move in 2019.

Klopp has never replaced the 27-year-old after selling him to Barcelona for £142million in January 2018 and a number of reports have continually linked the midfielder with a return to Anfield.

However, the deal was off the table after the tabloid claimed Barcelona wanted a fee of £8million for the Reds to take him on loan, while they also wanted the Reds to pay his £250,000-per-week wages in full.

Regarding the attacking midfielder’s future this summer it is said that his agents have told Barcelona to let him leave on loan again, after it became clear that Bayern Munich would not be interested in a permanent transfer – despite his nine goals and eight assists in 32 appearances this season.

 

 

 

Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all believed to be in the hunt for the 27-year-old as he eyes his next step, with a return to the Premier League potentially the best option for him to rebuild his career.

Sport claim that Coutinho would prefer to join London rivals, Chelsea or Arsenal, rather than United – while Manchester City are not interested.

Tottenham were interested last summer and Daniel Levy was keen on making the transfer happen, but the deal fell through and Coutinho was said to be angry with Levy and the collapsed deal and would not entertain a move there this time around.

However, Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian told the Mirror: “Philippe Coutinho has no personal issue with Daniel Levy and claims otherwise are totally false. The deal did not collapse due to financial reasons.”