Philippe Coutinho has given no 14 jersey at Barcelona. Barcelona reserving no 7 jersey for potential Atletico Madrid's striker Antoine Griezmann. Number 14 jersey worn by argentian defender Javier Mascherano and he will leave Barca and join China club in few days.
According to Fox Argentina though, he has not been handed the jersey vacated by Arda Turan's departure due to the prospect of signing Antoine Griezmann.
The 26-year old's release clause, currently set at €200m, will drop to the original figure of €100m in the summer, a move that is likely to spark a huge amount of interest among Europe's top tier clubs.
The French striker will remain at Atletico until the end of the season but is expected to be the subject of a transfer battle between Barca and Manchester United in the summer.
Coutinho meanwhile is yet to make his debut at the Nou Camp after arriving at the club with a minor thigh injury.The Brazilian midfielder, signed by Barca for an eye-watering £142m fee. The 25-year old became the most expensive signing in Barca's history after his move, eclipsing the £97m fee spent earlier in the season on winger Ousmane Dembele.
Barca bosses have decided to give Coutinho the number 14 shirt instead, despite the fact that Mascherano has not yet left the club. The Argentine midfielder has spent eight seasons at the club after also moving from Anfield, making 334 appearances in all competitions for the Catalans.
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