Earlier today, we covered the claims from the Brazilian website Globo Esporte which stated Barcelona are ‘optimistic’ they can find a deal to take Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool.
They claimed the player wants to join the club, but the problem is the Catalan side are offering €80, and Liverpool demand something around €100m according to the Brazilian claims.
Part of this information is now confirmed by Marcelo Bechler, the journalist who broke the Neymar to Paris Saint Germain story.
He agrees with Globo Esporte, saying the Barcelona director André Cury has met Coutinho’s agents in London, and adds that after that, Cury went straight to Washington to meet Neymar and his father.
It’s claimed that Coutinho is keen on the move, and will accept to be paid less at Barça. But it’s still difficult for the clubs to find a deal.
His information regarding the fees is a little different. Barcelona would have up to €100m to spend, but Liverpool see Coutinho as their main star for the Premier League and the Champions League, so the money may not be enough.
By knowing that Coutinho would be crucial for Neymar to stay at Barcelona, Liverpool would have a big advantage in the negotiations, having the power to push for an ever higher price.
Coutinho’s reaction to Liverpool’s reluctance in selling him is still unknown by the sources. No one knows if he’ll try to force a move out or just wait for the club’s decision.
Bechler mentions Coutinho as a gift brought by Cury to Neymar. Barcelona want to use the same weapon as PSG to show the star they care about him and can sign Brazilians to make him feel at home.
