Philippe Coutinho’s agent has said the Barcelona forward would not consider a transfer move to any Premier League side other than Liverpool, given his affinity with the club.
The Brazil international has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea – as well as Liverpool – in recent months, but agent Kia Joorabchian believes if Coutinho were to return to England it only would be to rejoin the Reds.
“Manchester United is a great club, I have players there and I have all the respect for them, but as far as Philippe goes it would be an extremely difficult to a near-impossible move,” Joorabchian told talkSPORT.
“It would be very difficult for Philippe to play for any of Liverpool’s rivals, because he has such a great affinity towards Liverpool. His time there was fantastic. His heart and affinity is very much with Liverpool.”
Coutinho spent five years at Liverpool before leaving the club in the January window of 2018 for a reported fee of £142 million, but has struggled to live up to expectation at Camp Nou.
While it is a little over 18 months ago that the 27-year departed Anfield, Joorabchian feels that the club’s recuitment in that period may mean there is no place for Coutinho in Klopp’s side.
“Liverpool have built a tremendous squad, the manager has a great balance there and it’s probably one of the best run football clubs in the country,” he said.
“So with the build-up they’ve done and the squad they have, [signing Coutinho] would really have to be something they would have to decide whether or not they feel there is now a gap in the squad for someone like Philippe.
“Obviously if he were to move back [to the Premier League], it would have to be Liverpool, but at the moment I think it would be difficult and it would be up to them.”
Speculation that Coutinho could return to the Reds has increased in recent days, with a report claiming Barca may offer Liverpool the opportunity to sign the Brazilian a two-year loan.
However, the player’s agent has dismissed these rumours and claims Barcelona to keep hold of him.
