Philippe Coutinho is a Barcelona player.
After resisting a number of approaches from the Spanish giants in summer, Liverpool reluctantly agreed to let the Brazilian leave Merseyside earlier this week for a fee believed to be around £142m.
Coutinho was unveiled by Barca on Sunday evening, sharing the following message on their social media platforms.
👋 Barça fans – @Phil_Coutinho has something to say! 👋
Find out more about #CoutinhoDay: https://t.co/344oHdw9AB pic.twitter.com/yEORWXMllE— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2018
Although yet to be confirmed, reports in Spain have suggested the 25-year-old will wear the number seven shirt for his new club – not 24, as was originally assumed.
With Lionel Messi wearing Barca’s ten shirt – the number worn by Coutinho at Anfield – it was reported earlier in the week that the number 24 was the only squad number available for the player when the deal with Liverpool was finalised. Although this is still true, it’s believed that this may not be the case for long.
Spanish radio station Onda Cero claim Arda Turan, Barca’s current number seven, is expected to leave the club in the coming days. When he does, the number will become Coutinho’s.
Coutinho, provided that “injury” he had has cleared up, could be in line to make his debut for his new club when they face Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening.
