Philippe Coutinho: Barcelona have broken promises to star since Liverpool transfer

Philippe Coutinho moved to Barcelona in January 2018, pushing Liverpool into selling him just midway through the season.

The Brazil international was expected to kick on over at the Nou Camp and was viewed as the perfect foil for attackers Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

However, Coutinho’s Barcelona dream has turned into a nightmare with the 27-year-old now facing an uncertain future over in Catalonia.

Chelsea and Manchester United appear to be leading the race to secure the playmaker’s signature.

The Blues could land Coutinho as a replacement for Eden Hazard.

And United are supposedly eyeing the Barcelona star as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer targets Premier League title glory next season.

The Daily Mail suggest, though, that Barca have broken promises to the Samba star.

It is said that, upon signing him, they told him he would be their long-term replacement for club legend Andres Iniesta.

Iniesta turned his back on the club at the end of last season, choosing to move to Japan for one final adventure.

And Coutinho was promised to be his replacement.

However, Barcelona have failed to live up to their words, with the player instead being shunted out wide.

He fared steadily on the flanks during his time in Serie A with Inter Milan.

But he has struggled there and that broken promise, it seems, has contributed to his dire spell there.

Despite his issues, though, La Liga expert Guillem Balague has claimed that Coutinho will not be sold – despite the player himself wanting out.

“As I said, Barcelona have said we’re not getting rid of him, we’re not selling him,” he said on YouTube.

“Liverpool are not interested in bringing him back either for the money he would cost.

“They said they’re not selling.

“So when Coutinho and his entourage realised they were not opening the door to him his representatives are putting out there an impression, via certain articles, that he would be willing to go.

“He’s told people in the national side that he’s willing to go and wants to test himself.”

source: express.co.uk