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Liverpool fans barely had time to forget about the last transfer drama, and start appreciating what Philippe Coutinho brings to the football pitch, before the whole cycle has started again.
Just yesterday Mundo Deportivo, essentially acting as a mouth-piece for Barcelona Football Club, asserted without evidence that Liverpool has already made a verbal agreement with Coutinho to allow him to leave in January. And today there are quotes from Oscar Grau, Barcelona’s chief executive, that they are willing to make another go in the upcoming mid-season window.
“We are ready to buy Coutinho in the winter market, or any player the technical staff request,” Grau said.
“But it is important to adjust ourselves, so if there are to be arrivals, there must be exits as well. We must forget about the price paid for Neymar. After taxes we received about €188 million [about £170 million] in income and a direct financial impact on the club’s treasury of €144 million.”
Oh yes, poor Barca. The above statement also, presumably, sets the stage for more low-ball bids for Liverpool’s Brazilian (or any other club with the misfortune of having their talent targeted by the Catalan club).
And all of this coming on the eve of Manchester United’s visit to Anfield. Charming as ever, Barcelona.
This is the clearest indication yet that Barcelona do not consider this matter settled for the season. Hold on to your butts.