The Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona stories are resolutely refusing to go away, which naturally means the Reds are also being linked with a bevy of talented playmakers from across the world to replace the Brazilian should he depart Anfield either next month or next summer.
Barcelona continue to be linked with a move for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder, who they pursued unsuccessfully throughout the summer and the belief is that Barca manager Ernesto Valverde will once again sanction a move for the former Internazionale youngster in the hope he can add even more firepower to his squad.
Coutinho was reportedly left distraught when a move to Barcelona didn't materialise over the summer, with Liverpool knocking back several of Barca's big money bids. Images: PA
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Whether such a move happens in January or next summer remains to be seen but Diario Gol are reporting that if it does happen, Jurgen Klopp will look to Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic as the Brazilian's replacement.
Kovacic has failed to settle in the Spanish capital since his £35 million move from Inter in 2015, despite a few brief runs of impressive form. The Croatian international has seen the likes of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric preferred to him in Zinedine Zidane's starting lineup and is believed to be on the lookout for more regular first team opportunities.
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Juventus, AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham have all been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old midfielder as well, but should Coutinho leave Anfield for the Camp Nou, Jurgen Klopp would make the Croatian his number one priority.
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The arrival of Spanish starlet Dani Ceballos at the Bernabeu over the summer is also thought to have pushed Kovacic further down Zidane's pecking order.
(H/T Diario Gol)
Topics: Football News, Football, Philippe Coutinho, Mateo Kovacic, Premier League, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, La Liga