Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu makes an official statement on Philippe Coutinho’s transfer to Red Devils.
Barcelona spent a lump sum of 142 million euros to lure Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in January 2018. The Brazilian International kicked off his Blaugrana career in a brilliant way by scoring 10 times and assisting on six occasions from just 22 appearances last season. However, it has been a totally different story this season.
The former Liverpool midfield, who lost his place to Ousmane Dembele in the wing and Arturo Vidal in the midfield department has struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup this campaign. The 26-year-old has made 46 appearances this season, scoring ten and assisting just five which has always been brought into the question by the media.
Due to the on-going poor form, the Brazilian was always linked with the arch rivals of Liverpool, Manchester United. The Red Devils remain interested on the Barcelona midfielder, who release clause is reportedly said to be 355 million euros. Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has reiterated that the club will be looking to keep him unless the release clause is met.
Besides, he rubbished the talks about the potential reunion of Neymar with Lionel Messi at Nou Camp after the conclusion of this season. Even though the Brazilian has refused to give anything away to the media, the PSG star has always been linked back with the club.
Speaking to the media, Josep Bartomeu said “It’s not possible for Neymar to come to Barcelona as we have another sporting project with Dembele and Coutinho. Coutinho is an excellent player and he has the coach’s confidence. He has contract with us and he will remain at the team, unless they meet his release clause.”
Albeit United’s interest on the player, Coutinho made his intentions clear that the club will be looking to knock Manchester United out of the Champions League because it would be ‘double satisfaction’ for the Brazilian, who used to represented Liverpool before.
“I know that games against Manchester United are special. I learned what they meant during my time at Liverpool when we lived it so intensely with the fans.
“I have that nailed in my memory and, even though this is a different stage, if Barcelona knock United out of Europe, it will be a double personal satisfaction for me.” said Coutinho.
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Barcelona will take on Manchester United on Tuesday night in the Champions League Quarterfinals before taking on Real Sociedad in the La Liga four days later.
