Pjanic, Umtiti and Coutinho: Where to go with the unwanted stars?

Barcelona’s priority for this summer is to keep long-time team captain Lionel Messi. The Argentine footballer is currently a free agent, but has not signed anywhere yet. So it looks like he would like to stay at the Catalan club after all. However, due to the unflattering financial situation, some players will have to leave the team. Club president Laporta has reportedly already called for the termination of Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti’s contracts, with Philippe Coutinho expected to be next. According to the media, each of them has a favourite for a transfer.

Miralem Pjanic

According to the Spanish Diario SPORT, which specializes mainly in Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur is the biggest favorite to get the Bosnian playmaker.

In fact, Spurs’ priority for this summer is to keep their captain Harry Kane for a change. They will therefore have to bring in someone experienced with a flair for the game to make the captain stay. Pjanic at least fills those parameters.

Pjanic only came to Barcelona last summer from Juventus and has 3 years left on his contract. He has played quite a bit, but mostly as a substitute. That’s probably the main reason why the club management pointed to him.

Samuel Umtiti

The French defender is not playing in the starting lineup for the third season, so this transfer would have happened sooner or later anyway. It looks like it will be after the summer transfer window, even though he still has 2 years left on his contract.

Spanish MARCA reckons he will move back to France after five years in Spain. This time he will reportedly not play for Lyon but for Olympique Marseille.

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool cashed in a total of £142 million including bonuses for Coutinho, who transferred to Barcelona in 2018. Now they could get him back for £17 million.

According to Charlie Webb of the LFC Transfer Room, Jürgen Klopp would be foolish not to take advantage of such a price drop. He’s worth more, he says. If the Brazilian were to rest alongside, say, his compatriot Firmino, with whom he once formed an excellent attacking duo, the price could rise again.

Source: Diario SPORT, MARCA, LFC Transfer Room