Report: Everton prepare £35m bid to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona
Everton are willing to shell out a fee understood to be in the region of £35m to sign Barcelona’s attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho in the summer.
According to Marca, the Merseyside outfit are looking to capitalise on Barcelona’s financial pressure by tabling an offer for the former Liverpool player.
Everton’s representatives are known to have a good working relationship with the hierarchy at the Spanish club after signing the likes of Yerry Mina, Lucas Digne and Andre Gomes from them in the past few years.
Coutinho, who took the Premier League by storm for Everton’s biggest rivals, may be in line for a shock return back to the city.
Ronald Koeman is understood to be a fan of the Brazilian, but his recent injury has seen him fall in the pecking order at Camp Nou.
His Brazilian teammate Roberto Firmino, who plies his trade for Liverpool, has also spoken highly about his compatriot.
“He’s phenomenal,” he told FIFA.com. “He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up. He’s one of the very best players in the world.”
Sensational news
Since Carlo Ancelotti has walked through the door at Goodison Park, we’ve signed a number of players that previously we couldn’t even dream of.
Players like James Rodriguez and Allan have enjoyed phenomenal careers in Europe and are now helping take the club to the next level.
And now, we’re linked with another Champions League winner, Coutinho, who won the treble on loan at Bayern Munich last season.
While he may not have been at his best in the past few seasons, there’s no denying the talent he produces.
He would walk into our playing XI and would improve most players around him.
There were some reservations when we signed James, and Coutinho is a similar case, given how his career hasn’t gone the way many expected it to.
However, at Everton, under a vastly experienced and successful manager, the Brazilian would be given the tools to succeed while Ancelotti could also consider building this side around him.
In other Everton news, ‘phenomenal’ ex-Premier League ace touted for Everton transfer switch.
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