Liverpool open to letting Philippe Coutinho join Barcelona in January transfer

Liverpool have reportedly told Philippe Coutinho they will listen to offers in January from Barcelona.

The Reds infuriated Barcelona and frustrated Coutinho when they refused to do business in the summer and repeatedly turned down bids.

Barcelona made three bids with Coutinho handing in a transfer request on the eve of Liverpool’s opening Premier League game in August.

Liverpool never wavered from their position and never even sat down with Barcelona officials to discuss a possible deal.

Coutinho has now been reintegrated into the Liverpool first-team and scored a goal and set up another in the 3-2 win over Leicester City on Saturday.

However, Spanish outlet Sport claim the midfielder has not given up on a move to Barcelona and is now targeting a January switch.

Coutinho’s representatives sat down with club officials in Boston, the base of owners FSG, and have reiterated their desire to join Barcelona.

Sport and other Spanish outlets made several claims during the summer about the potential Coutinho transfer that were routinely denied by Liverpool.

However, they now suggest Liverpool have indicated to Coutinho they will re-open the channels of communication with Barcelona and will even consider a January offer.

Liverpool have been disappointed to see their prospective title challenge drop off in just six games of the new season and FSG are ready to entertain bids – the Reds will even communicate an asking price.

Coutinho is ineligible to play in the Champions League should he join Barcelona having played against Sevilla for Liverpool.

However, the player’s team does not see think this has affected his chances of joining Barcelona.

Coutinho would presumably pick up a massive transfer fee, but it is difficult to believe Liverpool would sell him in the middle of the season.

MORE : Ederson insists there is no bad blood between him and Liverpool winger Sadio Mane