Man Utd target Coutinho hints he is open to Barca exit

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Philippe Coutinho has fuelled speculation that he could leave Barcelona in the summer by admitting “you never know what the future holds.”

Rumours were rife in the January transfer window that Manchester United were interested in taking Coutinho to Old Trafford following the Brazilian’s mixed start to life at the Camp Nou.

That speculation has persisted since with Sunday Mirror claiming that the 26-year-old ‘has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Manchester United’.

However, the Independent reported only a couple of days later that United will ‘press ahead’ with an £80million move for England international Sancho as the winger ‘fits the profile’ of player they are looking for.

It is believed that the club are not looking to ‘prioritise’ Coutinho’s position and want to focus their efforts on players that can play further up the pitch, like Sancho.

The Brazilian scored in Barca’s 5-1 victory over Lyon on Wednesday night, which was his first goal since January.

Coutinho, though, seemed to refuse to rule out a summer move despite receiving the backing of several of his Barcelona team-mates after being jeered over the weekend.

“In the last few weeks, months even, I’ve not been playing well,” Coutinho said. “But I still want to improve.

“I came to Barcelona to give my best. I live for the moment. You never know what the future holds. I am happy with my performance today.”