Transfer Centre

Philippe Coutinho 'to reject Manchester United but open to Liverpool return'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 July 2019

Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho would reportedly be open to a return to former club Liverpool but would turn down any approach from Manchester United.

Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is reportedly open to a return to the Premier League this summer but would reject a move to Manchester United.

The Brazilian playmaker has been heavily linked with an exit from Camp Nou following a 2018-19 campaign which saw him limited to just 22 La Liga starts.

Coutinho's agent yesterday insisted that Barcelona have no intention of offloading the playmaker, although subsequent reports claimed that the club have been gauging the level of interest behind closed doors.

Barca's £107m signing of Antoine Griezmann has further endangered Coutinho's chances of regular first-team football next season, while the Spanish champions have also been linked with a move for Neymar this summer.

In order to complete both transfers they would need to sell off some key assets, and The Express reports that Coutinho is likely to be one of those offloaded.

A move to Paris Saint-Germain remains an option - possibly as part of a deal to take compatriot Neymar in the opposite direction - while Liverpool and Manchester United have also been credited with an interest.

The report claims that Coutinho would welcome the chance to return to Anfield but would turn down any approach from United due to his loyalties to former club Liverpool.