Antoine Griezmann rumours may be rising but there’s little doubt Philippe Coutinho remains the first choice for most of the Catalan media.
Thursday’s issue of Sport poses the question ‘Griezmann or Coutinho’ and suggests it’s now actually a real choice.
Much of this is down to a frustration with Liverpool, who are said to want €150m for the Brazilian. Barcelona want to pay just over €100m, and for some of that to be bonuses, so there’s a big gap.
This is where poking Liverpool with a stick comes in, and Sport claim Coutinho is ‘unhappy in England’ and really wants the move, with Barcelona owing him some kind of debt of gratitude.
Liverpool are now in a different situation to last summer, explain the Catalan newspaper, because Jurgen Klopp’s protect isn’t new.
The insinuation is that despite all the promises made to Coutinho about Liverpool fighting for titles, it’s now November and it’s clear not much has changed.
Whilst all that may strengthen Coutinho’s desire to leave, it still doesn’t force Liverpool into accepting less money.
