With rumors of Neymar heading back to his former club FC Barcelona doing the rounds, another rumor of Barca superstar Philippe Coutinho leaving the Catalan side for Paris emerged. It was reported that Coutinho would be the key for Barcelona to bring back Neymar, a task which seemed almost impossible till now.
Sport reports that Coutinho has agreed a move to PSG, with his agent negotiating with the Parisians over the past weeks while the player was representing Brazil at the Copa America. Paris Saint-Germain had actively pursued Coutinho in the past and the player had even received an offer from the capital club the same season he made the switch to FC Barcelona from Liverpool. PSG would surprisingly benefit from the move. Given the fact that Neymar probably wants out, and the club’s president addressing disciplinary issues relating to the Brazilian in public stating that n one forced him to join PSG, the possibility of this move to happen seemed high.
More from FC Barcelona
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Xavi backs struggling Robert Lewandowski
- Gavi youngest Barcelona player to reach 100 games
- Barcelona struggle but pull out win against Osasuna
Coutinho hasn’t been able to make much of an impact at Barcelona and certainly does not seem happy at the club. All the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit perfectly in the given situation with PSG benefiting from this deal financially as Coutinho would charge the club way lesser than what Neymar earns at Les Rouge et Bleu and the player getting to experience a new environment where he can shine bright again. However, Coutinho’s agent has denied the rumors off the Brazilians switch to PSG.
Mirror claims that the player’s agent told RMC that FC Barcelona told him that they have no intentions whatsoever to sell Coutinho, or any player for that matter, while also claiming that there had been no offer from the Parisian club.
"“I spoke in recent days with Pep Segura (Barca Director of Football) in Barcelona. He told me that the club did not want to sell Coutinho this summer. Doesn’t matter what price. And then we have had no contact with PSG for Coutinho.”"
Philippe Coutinho has failed to impress the Catalonia side’s fans and has found life to be a bit difficult after his £142 million switch to the Camp Nou, finding the net just 11 times in 54 appearances for the club last season, in all competitions. As exciting as this news may be for Barcelona fans, the opportunity for the club to engage in a player plus cash deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar seems bleak especially after the player’s agent shut down talks of any move away from the La Liga champions.
Despite declining the rumors, anything can happen in the football world during the transfer window. Will this move really happen or will it just be an elaborate dream for the Barca faithful?