There's life beyond Philippe Coutinho
![L. Miguelsanz L. Miguelsanz](https://estaticos-cdn.prensaiberica.es/clip/2b2f4a1c-e077-47fd-b866-656503d5432d_source-aspect-ratio_default_0.jpg)
![Ney y Coutinho, en la seleçao Ney y Coutinho, en la seleçao](https://estaticos-cdn.prensaiberica.es/clip/0b7e0aa9-611b-452f-90b8-d5325d136232_alta-libre-aspect-ratio_default_0.jpg)
There's no doubt that Neymar's departure affected Barça's planning. And not just because they lost a player but because they gained more than 220 million euros which became more a problem than a solution in the short term. Barça learned the hard way in the final days of the transfer window that the majority of clubs were prepared to hold them to ransom. Ousmane Dembele arrived but they were left without Coutinho, Di Maria and one other name that will become known in the future. Overpaying they could understand, but the numbers being asked for smelt of a robbery.
January will arrive and Barça will need to re-touch the team in attack. Valverde's not been able to count on Dembele, but it's clear that there's a need for quality in the decisive phase of the season. And Barça would do well not to get hooked on Coutinho. The club are following players in the Bundesliga. They will sign, but not at any cost. There are enough alternatives in the market to the Brazilian playmaker that would represent a good investment. The German market, in addition, has nearly always been reliable for Spanish football in reent years.
Coutinho, or, better said, Liverpool now know they could be left without business. And Barça must defend their own interests. Paying more than 100 million euros for Coutinho would be unacceptable. No one doubts his quality, but few players in the world have that much value. There are still months to go until the winter market opens and, perhaps, Barça should take it on bravely. Paulinho, without doubt, is the example. There are players that for the half the price of Coutinho have the quality to play for Barça. And the club are watching them.