Coutinho evacuation route blocked while PSG chooses exchange in Neymar

Philippe Coutinho's escape to Paris Saint-Germain seems blocked after the Ligue 1 champions have refused to take the Brazilian, according to a report.

Marca reports that PSG wants £ 199 million for the star striker Neymar – the same fees they paid to Barca two summers ago, but Coutinho is unlikely to be part of any exchange.

PSG admitted that if the price to be paid by Neymar was reached this summer, the 27-year-old would be allowed to leave, but The sports director Leonardo asked if Barcelona really wanted to renew the contract with the player.

It is understood that Neymar wants a return to Catalonia and that Barca had a "superficial contact" with the PSG, but the French side does not want to take Coutinho under the agreement.

Ousmane Dembele is also a player they would rather avoid, Thomas Tuchel chasing a midfielder.

Ivan Rakitic, who was recently linked to PSG, is a target, said the source and PSG would be open to a market for the Croatian star, plus funds in return for Neymar.

The Barca however tries to play wonderfully and Josep Maria Bartomeu has further diluted the speech saying: "Nothing has changed regarding PSG and Neymar since what I said last Friday."

Bartomeu admitted having contacts with the owners of the PSG, but put the ball in the camp of the French.

"We know that he wants to leave Paris Saint-Germain, but we know that they do not want him to leave, so there is no case," he said. he declared last week.

"I know what I read in the press. We are in contact with Nbader [Al Khelafi] in meetings and committees, but he did not tell us. What we know about Neymar, we know from the press. "

Regardless of Neymar's future, Coutinho's prospects are rather bleak, as the possible arrival of the Brazilian superstar is likely to make him switch to Ernesto Valverde's agenda.

The former Liverpool man, who had cost £ 142 million 18 months ago, has been badociated with a return to Liverpool, while Manchester United has been touted as a contender, but none will want to get close to the price that Barca paid for him after a torrid time in Spain. .