Liverpool settles on £ 17m Philippe Coutinho unexpected as Barcelona make U-turn

Liverpool have a windfall of £ 17m next season after U of Barcelona’s trade over Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho seemed destined to leave the Camp Nou forever this summer, with Premier League rivals Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton among the reported clubs who were interested in the former Liverpool player.

But since Bayern Munich are unwilling to sign him permanently after borrowing him for the season, there is simply no market to sell the 27-year-old.

Clubs around the world are experiencing financial difficulties due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, not to mention the fact that it is not yet known when the transfer window will open.

So Barcelona has decided to hold on to it for another season, but that will cost them an additional £ 17m, which will go directly into Liverpool’s coffers, according to Marca.

The Spanish publication reports that when Coutinho signed with Liverpool in January 2018, one of the clauses included in the agreement was that Barcelona would pay the Reds 20 million euros (£ 17 million) once the Brazilian had played 100 games to the Catalan giants.

He had played 76 for the club before lending to Bayern, so he is likely to rack up the remaining 24 appearances necessary to bring about a windfall for his former club.

So, by bringing him back to the Camp Nou, Barça knows they are adding to the numerous transfer fees they have already paid Liverpool, as well as committing to pay another 12 months of the midfielder’s salary of £ 12 million a year.

Marca reports that they initially paid 120 million euros to the Reds for Coutinho’s signing, plus five million once he had played 25 games, and another million more after helping Barça qualify for the Champions League in its first two seasons.

Another five million euros (currently £ 4.4 million) would be due to Liverpool if Coutinho wins the Champions League with Barcelona.