After a more-than-six-months break due to a severe knee injury, Philippe Coutinho (29) announced his return to the pitch. The Brazilian should arrive in Catalonia by the end of the day, but the local media report that the expensive signing from 2018 will no longer play a minute in the Barcelona jersey.It is known how difficult the financial situation is for the club. Barca cannot register new players until they free up some space in their budget, and it is necessary to make room for Lionel Messi and his potential new contract.Griezmann loses video game sponsor in Japan racism rowCoutinho’s departure would mean, first of all, freeing the club of the burden of Brazilian’s huge salary, and maybe even getting ‘few million dollars’ from compensation. It is stated that the Brazilian could bring some offers to the club straight away. Reportedly, Everton, Leicester, Milan and Inter showed interest in him.The assumption is that the two rivals from Milan could offer Barca a loan deal with a takeover of a smaller part of the salary, which certainly does not suit the Camp Nou club. The English are much more financially powerful, so they are surely in a better position. Brendan Rodgers knows the Brazilian very well – they worked together in Liverpool and that puts the Foxes in a pole-position.There are even rumours that for the sake of a definitive sale, Barcelona could further reduce his price-tag to only 29.6 million USD (3.2 billion KSH)?! A reminder – before the injury, they asked for around 60 million USD (6 billion KSH).A discount sale has begun: Barca getting rid of Trinkao and Firpo, Umittiti and Pjanic set to become free agentsPhilippe Coutinho came to the Nou Camp for 142 million USD (15.3 billion KSH) plus 47.3 million USD (5 billion KSH) through bonuses. So far, the Spaniards have paid half of those bonuses, and the other would have to be paid the moment (and if) the Brazilian plays his 100th game for Barca. He currently has 90 appearances under his belt, and that is one of the key reasons why Koeman is no longer counting on the most expensive player in the club’s history.Coutinho’s current contract expires in the summer of 2023.
