adminLONDON. — Barcelona were yesterday “a matter of hours” away from signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, according to reports in Spain.
Sport claim that Barca’s representatives travelled to Liverpool yesterday to conclude a deal and are aiming to unveil the 25-year-old as their new signing later this week.
The report claims that Barcelona’s offer will be worth €90 million (£82m) plus variables. Sport also claim that Liverpool’s owners have agreed to sell Coutinho to Barcelona, despite strong resistance from Jurgen Klopp, who wants the midfielder to stay at Anfield.
Coutinho is viewed as a replacement for Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world record deal worth £198m last week.
Publicly, Liverpool have remained adamant that Coutinho is not for sale but Graeme Souness believes his former club will be unable to stop the midfielder from leaving. — Metro.
Online Reporter