3 Reasons why Leicester won’t sign Philippe Coutinho

Would Coutinho get into the Leicester XI?

At this precise moment in time – well, going back a month before the world turned upside down – Coutinho would begin on the bench at Leicester. Yep, that’s right. He’d be behind either interchangeable Belgians Youri Tielemans or Dennis Praet. Although the Brazilian’s form had improved before the coronavirus shutdown.

Obviously Coutinho has it in his locker to surpass that Leicester pair and form a quite wonderful, explosive prospective forward-thinking No.8 partnership with James Maddison. The ever intervening Wilfred Ndidi would cover the pair extraordinarily well, too.

Eventually this writer envisions that trio would be a constant unit for the Foxes, hypnotically. And would be as devastating a three-man midfield the premiership, or football in general, has ever seen. There is also the added bonus fact that Brazil’s playmaker actually plays on either wing occasionally as well; predominantly the left. Evidently that occurred for Barca and whilst with the Reds.

To be honest, if the deal must be a permanent transfer but not a possibly lucrative loan for all parties, then it is not in Leicester’s best interests to sign the 27-year-old. Yes, he is proven in the top-flight yet the contemporary pricetag is astronomical. And Rodgers has very consistent – something Coutinho hasn’t always been – international players already at his disposal.

To summarise, the answer to the question: can the Foxes sign Coutinho? – is yes. Nonetheless, there are three reasons they will not: firstly Barcelona desire a sale and the price is too much. Secondly, Coutinho will consider himself good enough for a club of a higher standing. Thirdly, if a price is agreed his wages would dwarf his team-mates’ pay. Potentially causing issues in the squad.