With news Barcelona are in dire need of stripping £156million off the wage bill emerging this week, Liverpool and Europe’s top clubs will be intrigued at the prospect of landing some of their top names for cut-price fees.
Goal report the Catalan giants have exceeded La Liga’s salary limit and will have to sell some of their highest earners before they can register summer signings Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia with the league.
Lionel Messi is also in talks to remain at the Nou Camp but is currently a free agent after his contract expired on June 30. The Argentine, too, will not be re-registered unless the debt is reduced.
So, with Barcelona stuck and desperately seeking ways of clearing the decks, who could the Reds go for to bolster their squad?
Ousmane Dembele
The French winger has been linked with Liverpool several times during his four years in Spain. With his contract set to run out next summer, the Reds may want to take advantage of Barcelona’s plight and entice the talented 24-year-old to Anfield.
Clearly boasting supreme technical ability, Dembele is direct and attack-minded though his Nou Camp career has been stop-start since his arrival in 2017 though he has scored 30 goals in 118 appearances.
Liverpool would face competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus for his signature, according to previous reports, but his lethal pace would certainly freshen up the attack.
Sergino Dest
The American right-back is another player who Liverpool have previously been interested in, according to Don Balon .
The Spanish publication claims Liverpool and Bayern Munich were both keen on signing the player from Ajax last summer before Barcelona sealed the deal.
Joining in a deal worth €26m, Dest, who made 30 LaLiga appearances for Ronald Koeman’s side last season, would provide brilliant competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold with Neco Williams set to depart.
The USA international began his career with Ajax and has been tipped for a big future, featuring in Europe and he doesn’t turn 21 until November.
Philippe Coutinho
Could it happen, really? Selling a player for £142m before potentially re-signing him for £100m less than that figure could be seen as a masterstroke but the question is, is there a place for Coutinho in the Liverpool starting XI right now?
The Reds have evolved since the Brazilian’s departure in January 2018 but there is no denying his quality.
According to the Daily Mirror , via Football Espana, Coutinho could be available for as little as £20m.
Liverpool have long since moved on, but that won't stop rumours of their interest continuing to swirl. Indeed, it is a tempting prospect for Reds fans, even if the two aren't the ideal fit they once were.
