French champion Paris Saint-Germain bid the equivalent of just over $316 million for Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. The world-record bid was sought through Coutinho’s agents as a mediator with Barcelona. The 26-year-old Brazilian does have a $470 million release clause in his contract with Barcelona.
Neymar Jr., Coutinho’s Brazil teammate and close friend, is speculated to be the reason behind this. PSG’s management is allegedly appeasing to the flop machine given the rumors about another former teammate of Neymar who they have their eyes on as well, Luis Suarez.
I guess being the “global cover star” for Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 sparks a multi-hundred-million-dollar interest after all.
It feels amazing to be the global cover star for #PES2019. I can’t wait to play and feel #ThePowerofFootball! pic.twitter.com/SutJhOfXur
— Philipe Coutinho (@Phil_Coutinho) July 3, 2018
Despite Barcelona’s rumored disappointment with Coutinho, the former Liverpool midfielder didn’t leave the Russia World Cup empty handed. He scored one goal in Brazil’s draw with Switzerland and a goal during Brazil’s victory over Costa Rica, both during Group E play.
Take a look at what he did to poor Switzerland. Even though they tied against Brazil, Coutinho cemented himself in World Cup history with a flawless marvel.
#MundialTelemundo Así narró @sadovnik1965 el gol de @Phil_Coutinho que tiene al frente a #BRA sobre #SUI pic.twitter.com/RMdMZHDyia
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2018
To its misfortune, Brazil was later knocked out by Belgium during the quarterfinals with a 2-1 loss thanks to a Fernandinho own goal and Kevin De Bruyne laser and in spite of Renato Augusto’s goal. When the team returned home, Brazil wasn’t entirely welcomed with a loving embrace.
Hostile reception for the Brazil national team bus after returning from Russia #brazil #brasil #russia2018 #russia #WorldCup2018 #WorldCup #fifaworldcup #neymarjr #neymar #coutinho #firminho #marcelo #willian #SportsFocusGroup pic.twitter.com/lPsJiVM1Dr
— sportsfocusgroup (@sportfocusgroup) July 10, 2018
For the fans, the speculation on added superstars to the top dog of France’s Ligue 1 is intriguing at best and, for their foreign or domestic rivals, distressing at worst. If PSG goes all the way with both Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, what could possibly stop them in the future?
As if Gianluigi Buffon, Edinson Cavani, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappe aren’t enough, that’s not even the whole team!
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