The fact that Philippe Coutinho has already announced he is happy at Inter and in Italy isn’t stopping Liverpool from continuing to pursue the young Brazilian midfielder, preparing to improve on their second bid for the player after the initial offer was rejected.
Philippe Coutinho, a 20-year old Brazilian who hasn’t played much for Inter this season (only 10 matches, most of them coming off the bench) and isn’t really becoming the new star in midfield like they’d hoped for him when he signed for Internazionale in 2010 from Vasco da Gama, is still hoping to win a place in the Inter lineup, which has mostly been about the Gargano, Guarin and Zanetti midfield trio.
Liverpool gave up on Nuri Sahin midway through the season, and despite having Joe Allen, Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey, Brendan Rodgers feels he needs another midfielder to help his run for a European-placed finish, looking better after a terrible start to the season.
Coutinho, an attacking midfielder, was valued at £8 million by the club earlier in the negotiations but Inter, who purchased him when he was 16 for €4 million feel there’s still a chance for Coutinho to fulfill his potential for the club. It’s rumored that Massimo Moratti is especially fond of him, usually pushing for him to receive chances on the pitch.
In an early look at the transfer, it’s hard to see this as something Liverpool should be doing, unless they really believe Coutinho is someone to base their future on. At his current ability and form, which isn’t at its best, Coutinho will be nothing more than another squad player who might get chances here and there. When we’re talking about the future and his chances of becoming an important player for Liverpool beyond this season, than that’s something else.
Coutinho is only 20, and spent half of last season loaned out to Espanyol in Spain, where he got a lot more playing time, appearing 16 times for the team, scoring 5 goals.