If Barca want you, ‘you’ve got to go’

Wright believes Coutinho should not turn down an offer from Barcelona.

Former professional turned pundit Ian Wright believes Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho cannot turn down the opportunity to join Barcelona, should an acceptable bid be tabled.

After losing one of their prized assets in Neymar, the Spanish giants have intensified their pursuit of Liverpool playmaker Coutinho.

Barcelona have not contacted Liverpool since their initial £72 million bid was firmly rejected, but Ernesto Valverde’s side are prepared to return with an increased offer in an attempt to land the Brazilian star.

Wright believes playing at the Nou Camp is ‘the dream’ for any player and Coutinho cannot turn down an offer from Barcelona.

He told ‘BBC 5 live sport’, ‘I’m not saying that they want him to replace Neymar, because I don’t think he’s that player, but if they want you you’ve got to go.’

‘That’s the dream, that’s why I find it baffling that Neymar has gone, he was already at the main place for me.’

‘But Coutinho, he is fantastic and he will go to that next level if he goes and plays with that calibre of player. You can’t turn that down, you just can’t.’

It is understood that the 25-year-old is open to a move to the Nou Camp, despite Liverpool making their stance on the matter clear and saying Coutinho will not be sold.

Sporting Tribune