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Alvaro Morata alerts Real Madrid over Philippe Coutinho move to Barcelona - report
LIVERPOOL star Philippe Coutinho’s possible move to Barcelona has forced Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata to contact Real Madrid, according to reports.
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Barcelona are reportedly nearing a deal to sign Coutinho from Liverpool despite failing to land the Brazilian back in the summer.
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim that move has forced Chelsea striker Morata to contact Real Madrid.
The Spain international only quit the Bernabeu for Stamford Bridge back in the summer after failing to oust Karim Benzema from Zinedine Zidane’s starting line-up.
It is said Morata, despite leaving, still has a close relationship with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.
The Chelsea forward has warned Real about the effect Philippe Coutinho could have on Barcelona.
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Morata has already faced the Brazilian once this season, and was impressed by what he saw.
As a result, Diario Gol say he has warned Real that Coutinho will bring more creativity to a Barcelona side already in fine fettle.
The Catalan giants are yet to lose a single La Liga game this season.
And they currently sit 14 points clear of Real at the top of the table.
Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona: Who could Liverpool buy with £142m fee?
Thu, January 4, 2018Philippe Coutinho is reportedly on his way to Barcelona in a £142million deal, so who could Liverpool buy with the transfer fee as a replacement?
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How would Liverpool reinvest if Philippe Coutinho goes to Barcelona for £142m?
Meanwhile, former Liverpool star Paul Ince thinks Liverpool do not require Coutinho any more.
“I don’t think it would work if Liverpool agreed a deal for Philippe Coutinho to join Barcelona at the end of the season,” he told Paddy Power.
“He’s clearly desperate to go to Barca, and Liverpool have done well to hold onto him this long, to be honest.
“Coutinho is very fortunate that he’s playing in front of a very knowledgeable Anfield crowd at the moment, and they haven’t turned on him because they obviously want him to stay.
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“But if you were to agree for him to go in the summer, that relationship could become completely different.
“It would be very hard, especially as Coutinho’s heart has been set on this move for so long, to play for Liverpool for the next five months.
“You don’t know what’s going through a player’s mind when they know they’re off somewhere else – how could he be totally focussed on Liverpool knowing he’s going to Barca?
“Squad wise Liverpool have enough there to not miss Coutinho.”