Friday's La Liga transfer talk: Coutinho, Messi, Salah

Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in La Liga on Friday, February 12.

Friday morning's La Liga transfer talk news roundup:

Barcelona 'will not field Philippe Coutinho again this season'

© Reuters

Philippe Coutinho will reportedly not play for Barcelona again this season as the Catalan giants want to avoid paying out more money to Liverpool.

The Brazil international swapped clubs in January 2018 for a fee rising to £142m, a large part of which is made up of incentive-based clauses.

One of those payments relates to the number of appearances made, which cash-strapped Barca are said to be wary of triggering.

Spanish journalist Javi Miguel, who writes for AS, claims that the La Liga side will therefore try to avoid using Coutinho between now and the end of the season.

The 28-year-old is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but he is expected to be back in action by early March - two months before the 2020-21 campaign ends.

Coutinho is believed to be seven appearances short of triggering the latest €5m (£4.36m) payout to Liverpool.

Manchester City 'to sign new striker regardless of Lionel Messi deal'

© Reuters

Manchester City will reportedly push ahead with plans to bring in a new striker, regardless of whether they are successful in their pursuit of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

The Citizens have been without club-record goalscorer Sergio Aguero for the vast majority of the season, leaving Gabriel Jesus as their only out-and-out recognised striker.

Aguero is now expected to move on in the summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium.

City have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, with Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku rumoured to be top of Pep Guardiola's wishlist.

However, Guardiola has also been tipped to reunite with Messi and, according to 90min, City will still look to bring in a player of Lukaku's calibre even if they manage to land the Barcelona ace.

Erling Braut Haaland, who has scored 38 goals in 40 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since joining 13 months ago, is another reported target for the Premier League leaders.

More transfer news from La Liga:

Real Madrid to rival Manchester United for Jules Kounde?

Real Madrid could battle Manchester United for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, according to a report. Read more.

Dejan Lovren expecting Mohamed Salah to stay with Liverpool

Former Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren expects Mohamed Salah to remain at Anfield on a long-term basis. Read more.

Arsenal 'failed with loan bid for Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig'

Arsenal allegedly expressed an interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig during the January transfer window. Read more.