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Philippe Coutinho transfer boost for Man Utd: ‘The only destination possible’ - Laurens
PHILIPPE COUTIHNO is set to return to the Premier League this summer after a turbulent spell at Barcelona, claims European football expert Julien Laurens.
Man Utd would be a good fit for Coutinho says Laurens
Coutinho only joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for a fee of around £142million.
However, he has not been able to gain a regular starting spot in Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Paris Saint-Germain are heavily linked with a move for Philippe Coutinho.
But Laurens says there is no chance PSG will have enough money to fund a deal for the Brazilian winger.
So Manchester United I think would be a very good fit in their rebuilding project for him
“How? With what money?” he said on ESPN FC.
“There’s no room anywhere in the wage bill for Coutinho, as a transfer fee for Coutinho.
“It’s not even a position that is there priority.
“So for me it’s, and from what I’ve heard from the club, there’s nothing in that story at all.”
Laurens instead believes Manchester United is a much likelier destination for the 26-year-old.
“It hasn’t worked out for him at Barcelona,” Laurens continued.
“I don’t think he’s the right fit for that club.
“Certainly not as long as Lionel Messi is there because the team will be built around [Lionel] Messi.
“I think for Coutinho to express himself properly he needs to have a team around him and not him being part of the team of someone else.
“So Manchester United I think would be a very good fit in their rebuilding project for him.
“I don’t know if they want him or if he’d want to go there either.
“But for me the only destination possible for Coutinho is back to England.”