- Liverpool would command high transfer fee for Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho
- Barcelona are set to continue long-held interest in playmaker in January
- According to reports in Spain, Catalan side must sell players to free up funds
- Javier Mascherano, Arda Turan, and Gerard Delofeu among those who could exit
Barcelona need to sell players to fund a move for Liverpool’s Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
The Catalan side could axe five players in January to free up capital and space on the wage bill, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Ernesto Valverde remains keen on adding Coutinho to his ranks despite Liverpool’s unwillingness to sell in the summer.
Mundo Deportivo reported that Barcelona could sell five players to fund their transfer move
Philippe Coutinho handed in a transfer request in the summer to join Barcelona
The Reds rejected a £114million bid for the 25-year-old and Barcelona know they are likely to have to up their offer next month.
Javier Mascherano, Arda Turan, Aleix Vidal, Rafinha and Gerard Delofeu are among those linked with a move away.
Mascherano’s departure is likely to depend on Samuel Umtiti’s injury lay-off and the Argentinian might have to wait until the end of the window for his transfer.
Javier Mascherano and Arda Turan are among the players linked with the exit door
Former Everton man Delofeu benefited from Ousmane Dembele’s absence at the start of the season but has not managed to nail down a place in the starting line-up.
Vidal, Turan and Rafinha are all on the periphery so seem logical candidates to free up wages to accommodate Coutinho.
The Brazilian handed in a transfer request in the summer but has re-focused himself on performing at Anfield, although he recently admitted his future with Jurgen Klopp’s side remains uncertain.
Clearly Barcelona still retain an interest Coutinho and whether Liverpool will keep up their firm rejection of bids for their key player remains to be seen.
Liverpool fans will no doubt be desperate to hold onto their prized Brazilian playmaker
