Coutinho still hoping to force through Barça move

With the transfer window shutting this week, Philippe Coutinho is preparing for his move to Barcelona. But with the window shutting today for the Premier League and tomorrow for La Liga, time is running out.

The player is in good spirits with the Brazil squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia and the news that he’s getting from his family and representatives in England is promising.

Coutinho and his representatives are concerned that Barça are looking around for potential alternatives – they know he is still the first choice. Logic suggests that the deal could be completed once Liverpool complete the deals they are working on currently, which will be financed with the €150 million they will get for Coutinho.

Liverpool are negotiating for the French winger Thomas Lemar, who has in fact been linked with Barça in the last day or so. Negotiations are advanced and Liverpool could end up paying €100 million for the player – their last offer was €80 million.

The complex structure at Liverpool is not helping matters. The three top executives of the owners, Fenway Sports Group, are based in three different US cities, which slows down the decision making process.

Coutinho, however, has not given up when many would have done and has maintained his firm stance. If he does end up at Barça, he will have done it the hard way.