Solskjaer makes Philippe Coutinho decision after Man United offered playmaker

Manchester United are among a number of clubs that have been offered the chance to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho this summer.

ESPN report that Barcelona are keen on selling their midfield star in order to balance the books at the Nou Camp, and are ambitious in hoping to recoup over half of the £142m they paid Liverpool to sign him in 2018.

The 27-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements after just two years in Spain, and loan club Bayern Munich are unwilling to make their move permanent this summer.

It appears a loan move would appear more likely for Coutinho given the reluctance from clubs to spend big on transfer fees amid the financial uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic.

But even a loan deal seems undesirable given the fact the Catalan giants are expected to demand a £10m fee for his services plus having to cover all his £250,000 per-week wages.

United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been linked with a move for Coutinho in recent weeks but Barcelona’s terms are unlikely to matched by any of the quartet said to be interested.

Regardless of Coutinho’s availability, ESPN have confirmed that United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no interest in signing him this summer.

Coutinho remains one of the most talented attacking midfielders in European football and many sides could benefit from having the Brazil international in their ranks.

But Solskjaer is focusing his rebuild around younger, exciting talent with Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish on the Norwegian’s transfer shortlist.

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