Manchester United would reportedly have to pay up to £9m just to sign Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho on loan this summer.
Coutinho’s move to the Nou Camp from Liverpool in 2018 has not worked out as planned and he has spent this season on loan at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Mundo Deportivo, as sourced by the MEN, claim that the Brazilian international could be set for a second successive loan spell as no club would be willing to meet Barcelona’s asking price during this period of financial uncertainty.
It is claimed that the Catalan giants are demanding a staggering £71m for his permanent signature, which is half of what they paid Liverpool two seasons ago.
While Coutinho remains one of the most elite playmakers in world football, a sum of £9m for a season seems ridiculously excessive.
And fortunately, ESPN report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already decided against a move the 27-year-old after United were one of a number of clubs offered the chance to sign him.
Instead, the report suggests Aston Villa’s versatile captain Jack Grealish is heading United’s transfer list as the club look to further bolster their attacking options after the January signing of Bruno Fernandes.
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