Goal.com’s Melissa Reddy who is a Tier 2 source for Liverpool in our Football Transfer Sources Reliability Guide has reported that Coutinho’s transfer to Barcelona is a matter of when and not if the deal is done. It has been a prolonged saga starting from last summer when the player had submitted a transfer request but Liverpool refused to let him go. Although, the reported price would make Coutinho Barcelona’s most expensive signing ever, the Brazillian has the potential to become an all time Barcelona great.
Barcelona might look at the Brazillian as Andres Iniesta’s replacement but this season, Iniesta still will have to be their main man in the Champions League where Coutinho will be cup-tied. The left of the midfield three will be Coutinho’s perfect position in Barcelona’s 4-3-3. But we might see him initially to the right of the midfield 3, replacing Rakitic.
Barcelona’s 4-3-3 formation with Phillippe Coutinho
Coutinho can also play on the left allowing Valverde to field three midfielders alongside the Brazilian. With Jordi Alba’s pace, Barca won’t lose width on the left and with Coutinho coming inside, they would gain additional control in the center of the park. So Valverde will have multiple options to fit in Coutinho at his hands and the only major issue for him is that the Brazilian won’t be able to play in the Champions League.
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