Player set to ‘pay out of his own pocket’ to help Liverpool transfer happen

Given players are so desperate to join Barcelona that they very often give up a chunk of their wages, at least according to the Catalan media, it’s a mystery the club’s finances are crippled by more than 80% of income being spent on player salaries.

Philippe Coutinho is the latest to get the saintly wages treatment, with Saturday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo saying he’ll ‘pay out of his own pocket’ to make his transfer from Liverpool happen.

It’s pointed out this is what Javier Mascherano also did when he moved from Liverpool to Barcelona, but there’s no concrete explanation of what Coutinho will do exactly. 

‘In order to line up alongside Messi, he would be willing to lower his salary’ say Mundo Deportivo, again with no actual explanation. Given the Catalan media have consistently said Coutinho agreed his personal terms with Barcelona in the summer, none of it makes a great deal of sense.

And, even if Coutinho took slightly less than he’s on at Liverpool, he’d still earn more overall given the increased commercial benefits of playing for Barcelona.

It’s hard to believe Coutinho is going to suffer financially out of a move to Barcelona, but if he’s really struggling after the move, the Brazilian could always ask some of his new teammates for tax advice.