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What’s Next For Barcelona? 6 Potential Neymar Replacements

By Tom Bogert

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Antoine Griezmann (R) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with Gerard Pique (L) of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Vicente Calderon on February 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Antoine Griezmann (R) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with Gerard Pique (L) of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Vicente Calderon on February 1, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Philippe Coutinho

In prior summers, Barcelona’s rumored interest in Coutinho harrowed Liverpool fans because his best mate Neymar was there. Now, it’s the opposite: with Neymar gone, there’s ample resources and opportunity for Coutinho to excel. Plus he would reunite with Suarez.

Coutinho’s excellence is such that despite scoring 13 goals and creating a further seven, it still felt like he had room to have done more. He missed some time with an ankle injury then took some time rounding back into form.

If Coutinho stays at Liverpool next season and can stay injury free, he’ll be one of the best players in the Premier League. The problem for Liverpool in keeping their star is that he’s no longer that diminutive young Brazilian who drifted out of games far too often. He’s not a finished product yet, but he’d be ready for a move to Barcelona.

Jurgen Klopp has been on record numerous occasions to say his no. 10 isn’t for sale, and made him captain in the absence of Jordan Henderson and James Milner for a recent friendly. Klopp is going to white-knuckle his way in keeping a grip on the star.

Next: Barcelona turn attention to Mbappe

But it remains to see where ownership’s resolve would be should a bid in excess of £125million comes in.

Coutinho is odds on favorite to sign for Barcelona according to SkyBet, for whatever that means.

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