Barcelona now in ‘advanced’ talks with Liverpool over Philippe Coutinho deal but Reds still stand firm

BARCELONA are now in 'advanced' talks with Liverpool over the transfer of Philippe Coutinho, according to reports in Spain.

The Spanish giants are wasting no time looking to replace Neymar who is quitting the Nou Camp in a stunning £198million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

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Barca have already seen two bids rejected by Liverpool as they make signing Coutinho their number one priority.

But respected Spanish reporter Marcelo Belcher claims the La Liga club are unwilling to give up their pursuit of the Brazilian playmaker.

Belcher has been among the most accurate journalists reporting on the saga that has seen Neymar decide to quit Barca for France.

And he has revealed bosses from the Nou Camp are now locked in negotiations with Liverpool trying to put together a deal to sign Coutinho.

The Reds are desperate not to sell their most influential player as they look to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

But amid claims personal terms between Barca and the player have already been agreed, they are fighting an increasingly difficult battle.

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Barca are putting together a bid of £96m they believe will finally be enough to convince Anfield bosses to agree to the transfer.

And they are pushing to wrap up the deal as early as this weekend in order to present him as a Barca player to their supporters on Monday.

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The club are playing a prestige friendly on that day against Chapecoense, the Brazilian side who saw most of their team tragically killed in a plane crash last year.

Liverpool have maintained a united front in public, insisting they have no intention of parting company with their star player.

But there are concerns behind the scenes that the player's head has been turned and that he is now leaning towards pushing for a move to Spain.

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And to ensure they are not left short should a move happen, they have already started looking at possible replacements - with West Ham's Manuel Lanzini top of the list.

The Hammers are desperately trying to tie their playmaker down to a new long-term contract at the London Stadium, aware of the interest from Anfield.

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