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In a poll conducted by Barca Universal, Barcelona fans worldwide voted Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho as the worst big-money signing in recent years. Coutinho was one of many big-money signings made in a vain attempt to replace Neymar.
After inspiring Barcelona to arguably the greatest remontada in football history in 2017, Neymar completed a shock move to the Ligue 1. He joined PSG, the very team he had knocked out three months earlier.
The transfer was completed for a mind-boggling €222m and Neymar left after a very fruitful four-year stint at Barcelona.
The world-record transfer fee was expected, as Neymar had established himself as one of the best players in the world during his time with the Spanish outfit.
In came Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund that summer and Phillipe Coutinho followed six months later as likely replacements.
World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann was also brought in from Atletico Madrid in 2019, as Barcelona continued to look for the perfect replacement for the departed star man.
All three players have had their different struggles in the side, but according to fans, Philippe Coutinho is the least preferred of the trio, and one that they would like to see leave the club first.
Philippe Coutinho got almost all the votes in the poll, an emphatic 82 percent of the 12,866.
Griezmann came second with 11 percent, while fellow countryman Dembele came last in the poll with only a six-and-a-half percent vote share.
Philip Coutinho has failed to live up to expectations since joining Barcelona from Liverpool
The result of this poll comes as no surprise as Coutinho cost Barcelona the most of the trio, with a hefty €140m plus numerous add-ons carved out to secure his services, while the two French internationals were acquired for €20m less.
Numerous injuries have limited Dembele's impact on the Spanish side, while Griezmann has failed to nail down a particular starting position at the Catalan-based club.
Coutinho, however, has suffered from both injuries and constant rotation of positions, which have hampered his progress at the club the most.
A floundering Coutinho was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich for the whole of last season. The Brazilian featured against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals and knocked them out with two sensational goals in a humiliating 8-2 defeat.
Coutinho won the treble with Bayern before returning to Spain at the end of the season.
Reports claimed new boss Ronald Koeman had the 28-year-old in his plans but after the player sustained a major injury late last year, it is fairly obvious that the manager has found alternatives.
With both Greizman and Dembele doing well, and with Barcelona seemingly back in form, it is very difficult to see Koeman making any tweaks to the side anytime soon.
