Reigning Ligue One champions Paris St-Germain are reportedly preparing a sensational ‘money-no-object’ bid for Liverpool star Phillipe Coutinho.
The Brazil international joined the Reds from Inter Milan in 2013 and has been one of their most consistent performers in the last few seasons. He has hit the ground running this season too and has already registered three goals and two assists. He further hogged the limelight on Thursday after helping Brazil to a massive 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over Bolivia. He scored one and registered two assists.
French news outlet Le 10 Sport has reported that the French champions are a long-time admirer of the talented playmaker and even made a bid for the Brazilian during the summer. However, the paltry £22.5million bid was rejected right away by the Merseyside club. But the news outlet has claimed that PSG are not done yet and are planning to register a massive bid for the playmaker in January.
The French champions have suffered big blow during the summer when their star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic left for Manchester United. The former Sweden international was one of the biggest reason for the club’s domestic domination in the last 4 seasons where they ended on top on every occasion. The effect of his absence is very much visible now as the club has already lost twice and drawn once in the opening eight games. With 16 points, they are currently third in the table, four points behind table-toppers Nice. With the team still not looking solid, PSG manager Unai Emery is desperate to bolster his squad and Coutinho has been one of his prime targets.
Reports are also suggesting that the French outfit is also planning to include their winger Lucas Moura in the deal. Moura was linked with the Reds at the end of last season and the French champions are hopeful that the huge bid along with Moura can do the trick for them.
Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see Liverpool’s reaction to this. Jurgen Klopp is trying to build a team capable of challenging for the title and Coutinho is a vital part of it. One of the lynchpins of this team, Coutinho’s is due to expire in the summer of 2020 and there are reports that the club is planning to hand the player new deal to ward off the interests from other clubs.