War for Philippe Coutinho between Barcelona and PSG

War for Philippe Coutinho between Barcelona and PSG

Neymar todavía sueña con reunirse en París con Coutinho
Neymar todavía sueña con reunirse en París con Coutinho | sport

PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaïfi is working on the signing as an express request from Neymar

They tried to sign him last summer as well, like Barcelona

Barcelona and PSG are ready to start a new war with Philippe Coutinho inbetween. The French club, owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) have moved for the Liverpool man - who is also top of Barcelona's list of priorities for the winter window. 

At the command of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, his sporting director Antero Henrique and sporting co-ordinator Maxwell (ex-Barca) have made contact with Coutinho's agents.

In July PSG already tried to sign him, after Neymar asked for him to be brought to the club. They were willing to match Barcelona's last offer and give him a huge salary. As SPORT published in the summer, Neymar spent the club's pre-season tour of the USA sending Coutinho whatsapps to try and convince him to sign. 

Philippe didn't want anything to do with PSG, instead bidding for a Barcelona move, asking for a transfer request and refusing to play against Hoffenheim in the UCL qualifiers. 

Coutinho and Barcelona have not forgotten each other. In September Liverpool tried to rebuild their relationship with Coutinho, with his brothers and agents heading to Boston to meet the Fenway Group and their directors - John W Henry and Tom Werner.

In that meeting, there was success. The Coutinho pack took advantage to express the player's desire to play at Camp Nou in the near future.

what's next?

Now Pep Segura, Robert Fernandez and Ernesto Valverde have to decide if they will try and sign him in the winter window - and they have a real chance of doing so.

Knowing the situation, PSG are hoping to impede Coutinho going to Barcelona in January. After spending 222 million euros (plus tax and commissions) on Neymar, they have to balance the books. Di Maria or Lucas Moura could leave.

The deal for Kylian Mbappe stops the Qatari club taking on another big operation, like Coutinho, so he will not be able to move to PSG in January because of FFP. In this sense their only objective is to stop him going to Barcelona to try and sign him next summer themselves.

Barcelona want to avoid competing with PSG next summer as that could raise the price, along with potental good performances at the World Cup in Russia.

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