Philippe Coutinho simply can't escape the headlines right now.

Word of his disappointing Barcelona performances has started to filter back to England, only fanning the flames of the transfer rumours that are starting to surround the former Liverpool man.

Coutinho has fallen behind Ousmane Dembele in the Blaugrana's pecking order, is failing to justify his enormous £146 million transfer fee and certainly isn't proving Andres Iniesta's replacement.

As a result, there is speculation that Coutinho could be moved on in the summer with the Evening Standard reporting that the Brazilian might be used in a move for Neymar.

There has even been suggestions that Manchester United could make a move for the 26-year-old, although a number of journalists have been quick to shoot down the rumours.

Coutinho's Barcelona struggles

What is for certain, though, is that Coutinho won't be going anywhere in the January transfer window, so he has at least five months to prove his worth at the Nou Camp.

Ernesto Valverde was keen to reiterate after the midfielder's poor showing against Levante: “Coutinho has played some great games with us and we hope he will continue to do so.

“I look more at what he does well, the same with Dembele or Arturo Vidal. It was a tough match the other day in which we lost, sure, but has to help us take a step forward.”

Coutinho 'would consider' summer exit

However, it seems the speculation hasn't passed quite yet and a new report from Mundo Deportivo has arguably delivered the biggest twist in the Coutinho saga yet.

The report claims that Coutinho isn't ready to give up on his dream spell with Barcelona just yet, but he will consider his future in the summer if his struggles continue.

Not only that but - per the Mirror's translation - the Brazilian 'would consider' a move to Manchester United, who have reportedly contacted the player's agent already.

It's reiterated that Coutinho and his family are settled in Barcelona, but may be forced to reconsider over the summer and United are one of the clubs interested in his signature.

In other words, Coutinho doesn't want to leave Catalonia, yet he isn't willing to sit around when opportunities are few and far between.

Quite how Coutinho would rank United amongst his potential suitors is unknown, however, especially when you consider his spell at Anfield. 

Nevertheless, if they wait until the summer and things continue to go poorly for Coutinho, they'll have an opportunity to try and make the most tantalising offer.

Plenty of Barcelona fans are pointing the finger at Valverde for the current Coutinho situation, so they'll be hoping the current regime doesn't prove costly for their record signing. 

United move or Neymar swap deal aside, there's no doubting Barcelona hasn't been the dream that Coutinho was expecting.

Do you think Coutinho will leave Barcelona this summer? Have your say in the comments section below.