Barcelona are believed to have offered Lionel Messi’s iconic jersey number 10 to Philippe Coutinho, who is currently not assigned a team number at Camp Nou.
Barça have been required to withdraw Messi’s jersey after his departure to Paris Saint-Germain, but until others like Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti leave, it is currently the only number still available in the first team squad, where jerseys run from 1 -24.
Coutinho carried 14 for Barça last season after his old number seven was previously awarded to Antoine Griezmann. But jersey 14 has since been handed over to Barcelona B graduate Rey Manaj, who was added to the club’s La Liga team along with Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia on Saturday.
Coutinho, who was left out of the season’s opening match against Real Sociedad on Sunday after recently starting training after a long-term injury, has been linked with a move to Arsenal this week as a possible weight in a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang approach.
But if the Brazilian is to stay, which still seems to be the more likely scenario at this stage with a minimal market for his signature, he needs a shirt if he is to play.
Mundo Deportivo writes that Barça have offered him the number 10 shirt and he is thinking about it. Coutinho is said to be careful about putting extra pressure on himself in already difficult circumstances by taking Messi’s shirt, but he has not ruled it out and may have little choice if he is to be involved against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The only alternative arrangement would be if Barça can secure exits for the aforementioned Pjanic, who is linked with Juventus, and Umtiti before the weekend and must register a shirt for Coutinho. Their departures would free up number eight and 23 jerseys at the Camp Nou.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
