Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott believes that Liverpool have done intelligent business in terms of how they have handled Philippe Coutinho’s contract.
The 25-year-old Coutinho has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona, who view him as a replacement for Neymar who has joined PSG in a world record deal.
Lescott believes that the absence of a buy-out clause from the Brazilian’s contract could earn the Reds up to £20 million more. Coutinho is reportedly keen on the move as he has handed in a transfer request to the Merseyside club.
Lescott said regarding the transfer,“I think it’s going to be difficult for Liverpool to keep him. It could be a shrewd piece of business from Liverpool not putting a buyout clause in his contract.
“When he signed a new deal, if they put £90m in there, I think every Liverpool fan would have thought ‘well if we get £90million then we will be happy’.
“Now, potentially after the Neymar move, it could potentially be £110m. Business-wise it could be a £20m profit off the back of not putting a clause in his contract.”
