Liverpool fans might be fearing the worst with Philippe Coutinho suggesting that he wants to move to Barcelona, even if it means getting the deal done now so that he can join them in the summer. A report in Spanish outlet Sport is also claiming that the playmaker has gone on strike to force a move through to the Camp Nou.

The Brazilian had been heavily linked with a move away from the club at the start of the season and this was one reason why Thomas Lemar was seen as the ideal replacement for the 25-year-old midfielder.

Lemar, however, stuck with Monaco and even though he has not had the best of seasons this time around, the French attacker is in the news again as Sky Sports reports that the 22-year-old would prefer a move to Anfield rather than the Emirates.

Arsenal was another club that wanted to sign the attacking midfielder and even stumped up £92m for the Frenchman but he decided to remain at the Ligue 1 club. The Gunners had seen Lemar as the player that would fill Alexis Sanchez’s boots and with the Chilean set to leave the London club next season, there could still be a war between Arsenal and us for Lemar’s signature.

However, there is some good news for us as Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol claims that the Frenchman wants to join us and will snub a move to Arsenal.

While speaking on on the Transfer Talk podcast for Sky Sports, the reporter was quoted by the Sport Review as saying:

“If it was left to Lemar, he’d probably prefer to go to Liverpool if he had a choice between Arsenal or Liverpool.”

That is something we can cling on to next season as we will have to sign a replacement for our Brazilian star but Lemar has not been at his best this campaign, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists in 13 league games for the side from the Principality.

Lemar is great in the attacking third and that is a given. But he does not have the passing ability of Coutinho and well, his consistency is also in question, given his performances this season have not been all that great.

We did break our transfer record to sign Virgil van Dijk in the winter window as the Dutch defender finally made the move to Anfield. We could do the same in the next window as we look to continue our progress under Jurgen Klopp.

The German would be hit hard by the Brazilian moving away but he would have a contingency plan which should include Lemar coming to Anfield.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8FyU8bDYA4