Manchester United news: Red Devils ‘to rival Barcelona’ to land Liverpool sensation Philippe Coutinho
Jose Mourinho is ready to open the cheque book after complaining that the club are losing ground on Man City because of their lack of spending
MANCHESTER UNITED are 'ready to rival Barcelona to the signing of Philippe Coutinho', according to reports.
The Brazilian looks destined to leave Liverpool having failed to secure his dream move to the Nou Camp last summer.
Coutinho tried to force a move away from Anfield by handing in a transfer request but eventually ended up staying at the club.
And according to Don Balon, United will launch a shock offer to join the race for his signature after Jose Mourinho bemoaned his club's lack of spending.
Although it remains highly unlikely that Liverpool will sell to a fierce rival it does appear that the Samba star could be off next month.
Barcelona are still in the market for a new forward to replace Neymar who left for Paris Saint-Germain in a world record £198million deal.
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Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo suggest that Coutinho's mind is already made up and has started house hunting in Barcelona.
Liverpool have been set a deadline of January 3 to make a decision of the Brazilian's future, with the asking price thought to be set at around £125million.
The report claims he has ordered his entourage to look for somewhere comfortable for him to live with his wife and daughter.
This would be the second time he has lived in Barcelona, having spent part of 2012 on loan at Espanyol from Inter Milan.