Philippe Coutinho Has Already Picked His Preferred Number At Barcelona

How often is Philippe Coutinho googling 'flights to Barcelona,' 'where to live in Barcelona' and 'best places to eat in Barcelona'? Because it seems right now he's got his eyes so set on the move he knows what squad number he wants.

At this point the only reason Coutinho isn't the Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool's Southampton is that he seems perfectly happy to keep playing to his best level, after all the Saints' Van Dijk of this season wouldn't get near the Reds team.

Van Dijk finally got his move several months after downing tools. Image: PA Images.

Coutinho though has continued to play well for Jurgen Klopp's team even after demanding a move away from Anfield in the summer only to be told he had to stay as the club weren't accepting any bids.

But as inevitable as Jose Mourinho finding a way to deflect attention away from his team's form talk of the former Inter midfielder moving from Merseyside to Catalonia has resurfaced with a brand new transfer window.

Already Nike had been advertising the sale of Coutinho Barcelona replica shirts, in the biggest hint that the move would happen yet, and now the Brazilian has apparently picked his squad number already.

According to Spanish newspaper Diario Gol the 25 year old wants to wear the number seven shirt should he arrive at the Camp Nou anytime soon.

Coutinho has continued playing at a good level. Image: PA Images.

Coutinho currently wears number 10 for Liverpool and it's probably better for him if he doesn't have his eye on that shirt at the Camp Nou, because he'd only end up a little disappointed.

He wore the number seven shirt during his spell with Inter Milan, although he wears 11 for Brazil, but would have to wait till Arda Turan left until being able to take that shirt number away from the Turk, who has been linked with leaving for a while now.

A young Coutinho wears seven in the Milan derby. Image: PA Images.

This season Coutinho certainly hasn't downed tools and since coming back from his Barcelona related injury at the beginning of the season he has scored seven Premier League goals and set up six for teammates in just 13 games, with another four goals in the Champions League.

Whether he ends January as Liverpool's number 10 or Barcelona's number 7 is anyone's guess right now.

Topics: Liverpool, Arda Turan, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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