MX23RW : Thursday, May 16 22:09:42| >> :60:482:482:

Manchester United 'emerge as front-runners for Philippe Coutinho'

Man Utd 'emerge as front-runners for Philippe Coutinho'
© Reuters
Manchester United reportedly move to the front of the queue in the race to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who is also wanted by Chelsea, Spurs and Leicester.

Manchester United have reportedly emerged as front-runners to sign former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona this summer.

The Brazilian playmaker is currently on loan at Bayern Munich but is not expected to be kept on on a permanent basis by the Bavarian giants, having struggled to hold down a regular starting role at the Allianz Arena.

Coutinho is also deemed surplus to requirements at his parent club Barcelona, and recent reports suggest that a return to the Premier League is his most likely destination.

Chelsea were thought to hold the keenest interest, while Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City have also been linked, but Spanish outlet Sport claims that United have now moved to the front of the queue.

The Red Devils are understood to have earmarked Coutinho as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba, who continues to be linked with a move away, and believe that the 27-year-old would be able to play alongside January arrival Bruno Fernandes.

Coutinho still has three years remaining on his contract at Camp Nou but could be available for a cut-price fee after Barcelona were forced to impose a salary cut on players during the coronavirus crisis.

The Brazil international has made 32 appearances for Bayern this season, but only 15 of those have been Bundesliga starts.

ID:394999: cacheID:394999:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3114:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring for Brazil on November 19, 2019
Read Next:
Leicester City consider Philippe Coutinho move?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!