Premier League leader Manchester City is reportedly preparing a £50-million bid on Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho in January to possibly take over from the team's aging winger David Silva moving forward.
ESPN noted that the fight to keep Coutinho would be Jürgen Klopp's first matter of business once he is installed as the new Reds coach as several world class teams are said to be targeting the 23-year-old Brazilian when the winter transfer window opens.
Aside from Manchester City, La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are also allegedly in hot pursuit of the Rio de Janeiro native with the latter being the preferred destination of Coutinho according to some reports.
The Brazil winger is said to be keen in joining his Seleção team captain Neymar at the Nou Camp next year with the Barça winger making cryptic comments regarding the impending move.
"I see many Brazilian players with quality today," Neymar said, as reported by the Mirror. "But one that I like and I think I could play here is Coutinho. He has the style of Barcelona."
Liverpool had been known to struggle in keeping their top players in recent years. The Reds were unable to retain Luis Suárez in July of last year as Barça bought him for £60 million while they also lost wonderkid Raheem Sterling to the Citizens this summer for £49 million.
With Brendan Rodgers, Coutinho's favorite mentor, already out of Anfield, it seems like the Brazil international is certain of changing clubs as early as January if Klopp will be unable to stop it.
However, analysts believe that Coutinho may not have a place in Barcelona's starting XI with Neymar, Suárez, and Lionel Messi lording the team up front.