Barcelona are reportedly ready to go the rest of the season without playing Philippe Coutinho in order to save themselves money.
Barca are struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic with the club’s debt reportedly totalling over €1bn.
They owe plenty of clubs money from past transfers and Liverpool could benefit from their decision to sell Coutinho in 2018.
The Brazilian star joined Barcelona with the deal worth up to €162m, though he has struggled at times at the Nou Camp.
The Reds are owed €29m, with €5m of that reportedly coming should Coutinho make five more appearances for Barcelona.
Though journalist Javi Miguel has claimed that Barca will seek to avoid using Coutinho for the rest of the campaign as he battles to return from injur
“One of the club’s priorities is to save and he has variables for games played and doesn’t want to pay more for him,” Miguel said.
“Barca have to pay €5m more in 7 games and that will not happen…”
Coutinho had spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich before returning to the Nou Camp last summer.
He has regularly been linked with a move away and a return to Liverpool has even been touted.
Liverpool were denied payment last summer despite Coutinho winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich.
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The instalments were to be paid upon certain milestones being met; appearances, qualifying for Europe, and winning the Champions League.
Though it was confirmed that Coutinho would have needed to win the Champions League with Barcelona for Liverpool to get their hands on the £4.4m in the deal.