Philippe Coutinho is a Brazilian professional footballer who made waves in the footballing world with his exceptional skills and creativity on the field. After a successful spell at Liverpool FC, Coutinho was signed by FC Barcelona in January 2018 for a staggering fee.
So, how much was Coutinho sold to Barcelona? Let’s delve into the details.
The Record-Breaking Transfer
On January 6, 2018, FC Barcelona officially announced the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool FC. The transfer fee for Coutinho was reported to be €120 million (£105 million), making him one of the most expensive players in football history at that time.
With this transfer, Coutinho became the second most expensive player ever, only behind his compatriot Neymar Jr., who had moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for an astonishing €222 million (£198 million) just a few months earlier.
The Impact on Barcelona
Coutinho’s arrival at Barcelona was met with great anticipation and excitement among both fans and experts. The Brazilian midfielder possessed exceptional dribbling skills, vision, and an eye for goal. His ability to create scoring opportunities and score goals himself made him a valuable asset for any team.
Barcelona hoped that Coutinho would seamlessly fit into their playing style and provide additional firepower to their already potent attack led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. The club saw him as a long-term replacement for club legend Andres Iniesta, who had left Barcelona in 2018.
Coutinho’s Time at Barcelona
However, despite high expectations, Coutinho struggled to replicate his Liverpool form consistently at Barcelona. While he showed glimpses of brilliance during his tenure with the Catalan club, he failed to establish himself as a key player in the team.
After struggling to find his rhythm and facing criticism from fans and the media, Coutinho was loaned out to Bayern Munich for the 2019-2020 season. During his time with Bayern, he rediscovered his form and played an instrumental role in their treble-winning campaign.
The Final Destination
Following his loan spell at Bayern Munich, Coutinho returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2020. However, it became apparent that he was surplus to requirements at the club. As a result, Barcelona sought to offload him and recoup some of their investment.
In September 2020, Coutinho was loaned out once again, this time to English Premier League club, Everton FC. The loan deal included an option for Everton to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.
The Current Situation
As of now, Philippe Coutinho is still on loan at Everton FC. The final decision regarding his future will depend on various factors such as his performances during the loan spell and Everton’s willingness to exercise their option to buy him outright.
- Transfer Fee: €120 million (£105 million)
- Loan Spells: Bayern Munich (2019-2020), Everton FC (2020-present)
In conclusion, Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool FC to Barcelona in January 2018 was a record-breaking one with a fee of €120 million (£105 million). However, his time at Barcelona has been tumultuous, leading to loan spells away from the club. Only time will tell where Coutinho’s footballing journey takes him next.