Barcelona will offer midfielder Ivan Rakitić to Liverpool this summer in part-exchange for Philippe Coutinho, according to reports from Spain.
The La Liga giant will be overhauling its squad in the summer with a new manager incoming to replace incumbent Luis Enrique.
Coutinho has emerged as one of Liverpool's key players this season in its quest for UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.
Before Christmas it was reported that Liverpool would attempt to " resist " any attempt from Barcelona to sign Coutinho, who made the transfer from Inter Milan to Anfield in January 2013.
But Don Balon in Spain claims Barcelona is back in for Coutinho, and will use its Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić as bait to take the Brazil international to the Nou Camp.
According to the report, Barcelona insiders think 29-year-old Rakitić —who has several years left at the top—could allow the club to pay less for Coutinho, who only signed a new five-year deal in January at Anfield. But any deal would depend on whether Enrique's successor views the Croatia international as surplus to requirements.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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