Former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Everton this summer.
The Brazilian left Liverpool for Barcelona in a club-record deal back in January 2018, but has endured a difficult time in Spain as he struggled to recreate his Anfield form.
The Spanish giants tried to sell the 28-year-old in the summer of 2019 but were unable to find a buyer and he ended up spending the season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Despite winning the treble, Coutinho's game-time in Bavaria was limited by injury and the Bundesliga giants decided against signing him permanently following his bit-part role.
Given a second chance at Camp Nou by Ronald Koeman last summer, Coutinho was first-choice under the Dutchman during the first half of the season as he made 14 appearances.
However, he has not played since December after rupturing his meniscus and underwent surgery at the start of this month which is likely to rule him out for the rest of the season.
And now according to a report by TZ, via Spanish publication Marca, Barca’s strong run of form without Coutinho means that Koeman is open to offloading him this summer, and Everton have taken an interest.
The report goes on to claim that the Blues are prepared to table an opening bid of €40m for the Brazil international in the upcoming transfer window.
While speaking about a possible return to the Premier League in November of last year, Coutinho said: "The Premier League is one of the most exciting leagues in the world and to have the chance to play there with a team like Liverpool will always be something I will feel grateful for.
"It is impossible to say what might or might not happen in the future - but what I know is that right now my only focus is on being successful with Barcelona."
Before his agent, Kia Joorabchian, added on his client's future at the time: “I have not heard anything and we have no plans to move from Barca, and yes that Coutinho can contribute to a successful season."
