I must admit the prospect of the three players behind Rickie consisting of Lallana, Gaston and Coutinho really is mouth watering.
Gianluca Di Marzio - "Inter, use Coutinho money to get to Paulinho": http://www.gianlucadimarzio.com/calciomercato/inter-da-coutinho-i-soldi-per-arrivare-a-paulinho/ "Sacrificio per Paulinho. L’Inter ha deciso, vuole vendere Coutinho per provare ad arrivare a Paulinho. Il centrocampista del Corinthians ha un prezzo di 18 milioni, più alto rispetto ai 15 milioni iniziali. L’Inter per arrivare a Paulinho vuole sacrificare Coutinho, dopo aver ceduto Sneijder. Per questo un emissario dell’Inter è nel ritiro del Southampton in Spagna, nel ritiro del club, per capire se potranno alzare l’offerta. Se il Southampton arriverà fino a 12/13 milioni, Coutinho può partire. Stramaccioni vuole fortemente Paulinho, è una sua richiesta. Le alternative, come Biglia e Gago che sono stati proposti, sono solo nomi in secondo piano. Per l’esterno destro, si è frenata la trattativa per Schelotto. Livaja potrebbe quindi andare a giocare all’Eintracht, non più all’Atalanta." TRANSLATED "Sacrifice for Paulinho. Inter decided Coutinho wants to sell to try to get to Paulinho. Corinthians midfielder is priced at 18 million, higher than the initial 15 million. Inter to get to Paulinho want to sacrifice Coutinho, after selling Sneijder. This is an emissary of Inter is in the withdrawal of Southampton in Spain, the withdrawal of the club, to see if they can raise the offer. If Southampton will be up to 12/13 million, Coutinho can start. Stramaccioni want to strongly Paulinho, is a request. The alternative , as Biglia and Gago that have been proposed are just names in the background. For the outside right, it is slowed down negotiations for Schelotto. Livaja could then go play all'Eintracht no longer Atalanta."
If that actually happened (not that I expect it to) we wouldn't have to worry about our defence again. We'd batter the **** out of most of the teams outside of the top 6.
Too true, We wouldn't need to worry about our high defensive line neither as we have the holy goalie! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
Tancredi Palmeri on Twitter: "Coutinho officially on sale, according to tomorrow Gazzetta edition. Inter wanted to sell Alvarez, but no bid made them turn to Coutinho"
Tancredi Palmeri on Twitter: "Coutinho price fixed at 13m €,Inter trying to get it from Southampton as Liverpool never raised their 8m € bid.But player prefers Liverpool"
In light of one of the seemingly plausible suggestions on here, I put the following to Tancredi Palmeri on Twitter: 'is it possible after well publicised Astori interest, that Inter are using Southampton's name to push Coutinho's price up?' to which he replied: 'not at all let's not be deluded.' Putting his unnecessarily curt tone aside, this shows he is 100% sure that the bid is official, and i would consider him a much more credible source on this particular bid than any English news outlet. P.S. type his name into youtube and watch any compilation. I'm more excited about this than i was with Gaston.
Tancredi Palmeri on Twitter: "Few tweets to reply to a question that many gave:would Inter accept the Liverpool 8m if they won't get the raise they want from Saints?" "Said that nobody has crystal ball,and that works especially with Inter which change often and suddenly strategy, let's say that is unlikely that Inter would accept first Liverpool offer as was already outbid by second Southampton offer,and that would take two steps back for Inter. It is also true that Coutinho wants Liverpool(but,so far,doesn't mean an absolute no to Saints)but it is very very difficult that Inter, again after Sneijder,would renounce to some 5m to make happy one of his player. In case of no Liverpool raising,the Inter response would be totally linked to Paulinho:who,so far,didn't say yes,and for whom Inter is gathering the money through Coutinho. Only if Paulinho would say 'I'm ready to sign' so in that case Inter -in case of stalement with Saints- to make money the quickest possible,would accept that 8m This is how exactly is the situation in this moment. And it is how many times works these transfers intrigues, situation evolving day by day"
So it's the same as Astori. Saints won't bid against themselves. Inter have no reason to jump on Saints offer and will wait to see if Liverpool matches or beats or at least wait and see what happens with Paulinho. LFC may not want him at the price but have no reason to make it easy on anyone and formally withdraw. And if Paulinho signs then maybe Inter will be in a position to accept their bid especially as that is Coutinho's preferred destination. Or maybe Coutinho turns down Saints and they can swoop in and get him on the cheap. No incentive for anyone to make the first move. In the meantime everyone will also be pursuing fallback plans. But at least now deadline day is fast approaching so someone's hand will be forced and this will all be over soon.
Yep, I'm looking forward to Feb 1st. I hate transfer windows! It never used to be so bad when you were expecting distinctly average players in...it's the hope that kills you!
but Liverpool are 5 million off the mark, they would have to almost double thier offer. a good read http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-target-philippe-coutinho-scouting-1549155
So he prefers Liverpool which is understandable, I just hope we get the chance to speak to him. On paper we don't look like a very exciting option but I'm sure once he see's the ambition of the club he may change his mind.
Sounding like the usual smoke and mirrors of continental transfers. Hypothetically, if he signed for any English cjub, is there a clearance problem. He has only a single senior International cap but is only 20 (does that have an effect?).
I don't think it will be a problem, the same was said about Tadanari Lee but they cleared him as he was thought of as an exceptional talent. It's safe to say that with him being so young we shouldn't have any problems.
