Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes it would be ‘good business’ for the club if they sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for around £80million.

The Brazilian maestro has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp, despite Reds manager Jurgen Klopp insisting he is not for sale this summer.

Speculation about Coutinho’s potential switch is rife in Spain, with some reports claiming he has told Liverpool he wants to leave and has already agreed terms to join the Catalan club.

READ MORE: Philippe Coutinho ‘agreed terms in principle’ over switch to Barcelona, claim reports in Spain

Further reports on Thursday from Barcelona-based newspaper Sport then claimed Liverpool have slapped a £150m price tag on the playmaker.

But Murphy believes the club’s valuation is way off the mark and that they would do well to recoup a more meagre £80m for their highest-paid star.

Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White, the former Anfield man said: “There comes a point where if a player expresses a desire to go, there is sense in getting as much money as you can for him.

“If they’re talking about £199m for Neymar, you can’t put Coutinho in Neymar’s league at the moment.

“He’s not worth £150m, could they get £100m for him? Maybe.

“If Barca are prepared to pay over £80m for Coutinho, I think that’s good business.”

HEDGING THEIR BETS! Barcelona interest in Philippe Coutinho depends on Neymar’s future, talkSPORT told

Murphy also suggested the Liverpool team could be more balanced overall if the Brazilian leaves and Jurgen Klopp invests his fee wisely in the transfer market, having already sealed the arrival of Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah.

The former England international added: “Liverpool have been clever in getting Salah. Maybe they signed him because they thought if Coutinho goes they’ve got a ready-made replacement.

“I think with Salah and Mane in the wide positions they would be more dynamic. They’d lose a bit of creativity that Coutinho brings, but there are players out there you could get for less money who might give you just as much output.

“Coutinho scored 14 goals last season and that was his best return. If Liverpool rate him at around £100m, what’s Dele Alli worth? He’s better than Coutinho. Different but better.

“If they get £80m or £90m, you’d think they’d sign someone else. We’re hypothesising, but the goals and assists those players get might double or treble what Coutinho was bringing in, and you’ve also not got a player sat there unhappy.

“I’m not saying Liverpool should get rid of Coutinho, because he’s a wonderful footballer and there’s no doubt about that.

“But if he wants to go and we get £80m for him, I’d take that.”

READ MORE: ‘He’s not exactly ideal for Jurgen Klopp’s vision’ – Liverpool face a dilemma over selling Phillipe Coutinho to Barcelona