Could Coutinho’s Barcelona move be in doubt?
Barcelona midfield pair Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic have reportedly urged the club not to bother with a transfer swoop for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazil international continues to be linked with a move to the Nou Camp after BBC Sport‘s report of three failed bids for him over the summer, but the deal could now be in some doubt.
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Recent reports from Mundo Deportivo claimed Barca were set to come back in for Coutinho in January, echoing similar claims by the Daily Mail earlier this season.
Still, Diario Gol are now claiming that Iniesta and Rakitic have sent a clear message to the club over a deal, saying the 25-year-old is not needed due to the current depth of options in that attacking midfield department.
Paulinho has shone for Barcelona since joining in the summer, while Sergi Roberto, Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes also remain backup options to Iniesta and Rakitic themselves.
Coutinho has established himself as one of the finest players in Europe during his time at Anfield, but it remains to be seen if he is really needed at Barcelona any time soon.
The former Inter Milan star could be seen as an ideal long-term replacement for Iniesta in particular, with the Spaniard set to turn 34 this season and no longer able to play week in, week out for a club with such big ambitions.