Barcelona are finalising an offer in excess of €150 million to secure Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, which would make him the third-most expensive footballer in the world and their record signing.
Only Neymar’s €222m switch from La Liga’s leaders to Paris Saint Germain, and his team-mate Kylian Mbappe’s loan move from Monaco – which becomes permanent ahead of next season for €180m – surpass that figure.
It would also see Coutinho oust Ousmane Dembele – brought in from Borussia Dortmund last August for an initial fee of €105m that could rise to €145m and will be supplemented by €40m in add-ons related to performances and appearances, which are likely to be triggered. – as the club’s highest-cost recruit.
Coutinho – masterful for Liverpool after submitting a transfer request that was rejected in August – has been resolute on furthering his career at Camp Nou after five years of service on Merseyside, which has produced no trophies.
While the Brazilian, scorer of 12 goals and supplier of eight assists in all competitions this campaign, is grateful to the club for helping him develop into a pedigreed performer, he cannot ignore the opportunity of becoming a long-term reference point for Barca.
Sources close to the player revealed on Tuesday that the Merseysiders unsuccessfully tried to convince Coutinho to remain at Anfield by proposing multiple incentives and a greater wage packet to their highest earner over the course of the season.
Having made 201 appearances and producing 54 goals for Liverpool after signing from Inter in January 2013 for just £8.5m, he looks set to take the next step in his career.
Article edited by: Afolabi Oluwatobi
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