Barcelona Rumors: Lionel Messi Hopes To Get Rid Of 'Expensive' Ex-Liverpool Star

The news is out, and it is confirmed that Lionel Messi will be staying in Barcelona, which means the Argentine superstar will be keeping his influence over at Camp Nou for at least one more year. And aware of the Spanish club’s tough financial situation because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Messi reportedly is hoping to get rid of some insignificant players in the team, including ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.

According to Everything Barca’s Ranoveer Neogi, the financial blow on the Catalans might put the club with no other choice but to unload Countinho, whose worth could suffice in the team's survey for value talents in the transfer market.

“Although Quique Setien has plans to include Coutinho next season, the Brazilian may be the only shot Barca have at increasing their current limited transfer budget as the player is valued at 80 million euros,” Neogi wrote, adding that Premier League’s Newcastle United are “keen on acquiring” the services of the Brazilian standout.

Coutinho is scheduled for a return to Barca this summer after Bayern Munich refused to sign him to a €120 million permanent contract following a one-year loan deal signed in August 2019.

The 27-year-old’s run at Camp Nou has not quite lived up to its promise since Liverpool shipped him to the La Liga squad for £142 million in January 2018. Marred by injuries even as early as days prior to his debut for Barca, Coutinho has failed to establish any traction in his game, much to the dismay of the Catalans.

In search of answers to his present struggles, a couple of reports say Coutinho is contemplating on returning to the Premier League, which appears to be a feasible move to do.

Besides Newcastle, Countinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian reveals Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham are also interested to sign the Brazilian footballer.

“We’re still waiting until the season finishes before we start talking about anything in terms of transfers,” Joorabchian told Talksport. “I’ve always said he loves to play in the Premier League. He enjoyed his time very much and if the opportunity arises to come back to the Premier League, whether it be this year or in the future, he’s definitely looking at that.”

Perhaps there’s something in the EPL that pushes Coutinho to unleash his top-notch game. After all, it was during his five-year run at Liverpool where he racked up career-best numbers that totaled 54 goals in 201 appearances.