Philippe Coutinho has “asked to leave Liverpool” according to reports as he chases his dream move to Barcelona.
The Brazilian was the subject of interest from the Catalans the summer that led to him handing in a transfer request.
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But Liverpool held firm, and the 25-year-old has continued to star for the Reds this season under Jurgen Klopp.
But Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Barcelona have “two lines of communication” open with Liverpool and that the midfielder continues to push for the move.
The Spanish club are growing increasingly “optimistic” that they will get their man in January.
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While Coutinho is believed to be the first choice of Barca boss Ernesto Valverde, SunSport reported yesterday how the Spanish giants will turn to Arsenal star Mesut Ozil if they fail to bag Coutinho.
Coutinho, 25, was keen to move to Spain last summer after the Catalan giants sold Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record fee of £200million.
Liverpool blocked the move, but Barca are set for another tilt at the Brazilian international next month, according to Mundo Deportivo.
However if the Merseysiders refuse to do business again in January, then Barca will turn their attention to Mesut Ozil.
The Arsenal playmaker’s current deal at the Emirates runs out at the end of the season and he can sign a pre-contract with an overseas club next month.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made a last ditch effort to keep the German international at the Emirates, with an offerl to make Ozil the highest earner in the club’s history.
If Barca boss Ernesto Valverde gets Ozil in January, Coutinho’s hopes of fulfilling his dream of making the move to the Nou Camp next summer could be scuppered.