5 replacements should Liverpool part ways with Philippe Coutinho
While Barcelona and Liverpool continue to negotiate a fee for Philippe Coutinho, here are five players the Reds may want to sign to replace the Brazilian.
The tug-of-war between Liverpool and Barcelona over Philippe Coutinho continues this January. Barcelona had three bids for the Brazilian rejected by Liverpool this past summer, the largest of which was worth £113 million. With the January transfer window open, the Catalan giants aren’t backing down in their quest to sign the player.
The Liga leaders recently upped their bid to £133 million as Barcelona’s players continue to put pressure on the club to get the deal done this month. Indeed, the longest-running transfer saga of the summer has now dominated the headlines this winter. The move seems inevitable, especially after Nike mistakenly made public an advertisement featuring Coutinho in a Barca kit.
Coutinho remains a key player for Liverpool. His numbers (12 goals in all competitions this season) are a big reason why the team have had such a good start in the Premier League and Champions League. Barcelona, meanwhile, appear as if they’re marching towards the Spanish title and Coutinho’s addition would add depth to an already talent-laden lineup.
Should Coutinho complete a move this month, Liverpool will need to look to the transfer market for a replacement. Here are five players who could potentially fill that void.
Thomas Lemar, Monaco
The Monaco midfielder appears to be the one Liverpool have set their sights on should Coutinho depart for Barcelona. The 22-year-old Lemar has scored 16 goals in 72 league matches for Monaco since making his debut for them in 2015. Lemar has scored four goals and recorded two assists in 18 matches this season in all competitions. He has also played for France at the senior level and could figure to be a member of the country’s 23-man roster for this summer’s World Cup.
Lemar would be a perfect fit in the midfield for Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp. Lemar, who has played mostly on the left, is also very versatile, able to play on both wings as well as through the middle of the park. He also possesses exquisite passing ability and a long-range shot.
The Independent reported that Monaco have proven tough negotiators and already rejected a late bid from Anfield in the summer believed to come to around £75 million, so it could well take more money for the Reds to get Lemar.