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Ranking the five favourites to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer

Philippe Coutinho looks set to be subject of transfer interest once again this summer, the midfielder’s dream move to Barcelona having failed to work out as hoped.

The Brazilian previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Liverpool but has failed to live up to expectations since a £142m move to Catalonia, spending time on loan with Bayern Munich last season and struggling to establish himself as a key figure.

Despite featuring for Ronald Koeman’s side during the early part of the season before injury, there are many who expect Coutinho to move on as Barcelona look to raise funds and trim their wage bill.

 

So for those of you interested in learning more about how to bet on football, we take a look a the five clubs that are favourites to sign Couthino during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool – 14/1

Coutinho left Liverpool during the 2018 January transfer window as arguably their most influential player, but has struggled to replicate those performances ever since and his career is now at a crossroads.

After struggling at Barcelona he was loaned to Bayern Munich last season, though largely played a bit-part role in the club’s treble success and the German giants opted against a permanent deal.

Coutinho was a fans’ favourite on Merseyside but the club have moved on since his departure and it is difficult to see where he would fit in in the current side, whilst Liverpool’s transfer needs are perhaps elsewhere.

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Liverpool have, however, endured a disappointing campaign and the match-winning moments Coutinho can provide could persuade his former side to gamble on his services in a bid to coax the best from the Brazilian once more.

Leicester – 14/1

Leicester have been linked with a move for the 28-year-old in recent months, in a move that would reunite the playmaker with former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Foxes are on course to secure a place in the Champions League next season and will look to improve a talented squad, the potential arrival of Coutinho adding top-level quality to their ranks.

Rodgers has previously claimed Coutinho would be out of his side’s price bracket, but recent reports have suggested Barcelona will accept a fee of around £35m this summer, a fee not out of the question for Leicester who are ready to invest with strong reports of the club being close to a £30m deal for Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumaré.

Coutinho’s invention would add a new dimension to the Foxes frontline with the midfielder capable of linking up with the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.

AC Milan – 12/1

Coutinho began his career in European football at Inter Milan and a return to the city in the colours of rivals AC Milan is priced at odds of 12/1.

Milan have shown signs of improvement this season after a decade spent in the doldrums, the Rossoneri currently third in the division after leading the title race for much of the campaign.

Qualification to next season’s Champions League will boost the club’s prospects of signing Coutinho, who could be tempted by a return to Italy after his previous spell at the San Siro.

Milan also face an anxious wait on the future of Hakan Calhanoglu with the Turkey midfielder having shouldered the side’s creative responsibility this season and out of contract at the end of the season.

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Manchester United have been linked with the 27-year-old on a free transfer and Coutinho could be be an ideal replacement for the star as one of Europe’s sleeping giants bid to continue their recent rise.

Arsenal – 12/1

Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge of Arsenal has proven a huge disappointment, pre-season hopes of a top four finish extinguished by the Gunners’ worst ever start to a Premier League campaign.

Their poor performances mean the north London side are now in serious danger of missing out on European qualification completely and major changes are anticipated at the Emirates this summer.

Arteta sought to solve his side’s lack of midfield creativity with the loan signing of Martin Odegaard during the winter window, though the Real Madrid loanee’s future remains uncertain beyond the current campaign and interest in Coutinho from Arsenal could resurface after previous links.

Comfortable on the left or centrally and Premier League proven, the Brazilian would be a ready-made addition to a transitional side and would no doubt relish a return to England following his previous success in the division.

Arsenal look set to raise funds through the sales of several unwanted stars including Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Eddie Nketiah and will be hopeful of financing their summer business through player departures.

Everton – 1/1

Much of the betting surrounding Coutinho’s future has centred around a return to Merseyside, though it’s Everton who are the bookmakers’ favourites at odds of evens.

Reports have claimed that Everton are confident of completing a deal for the Brazilian this summer, in a deal that will further diminish the player’s reputation at Liverpool after engineering his Anfield exit three-and-a-half years ago.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side shocked world football with the free transfer signing of James Rodriguez last summer and could look to repeat the trick with Coutinho, providing a player in need of change a platform to find his best form again.

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Coutinho’s ability to create opportunities will boost an Everton side whose midfield has lacked imagination on occasion this season, with the 28-year-old having registered 78 goal involvements in 152 appearances whilst on the red half of the city.

Read – Five Noughties midfielders who should make the Premier League Hall of Fame

Read Also – Ranking the five favourites to sign Tammy Abraham this summer

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