Barcelona to tempt Liverpool with a third offer for Philippe Coutinho, worth a huge £118million
Spanish giants reportedly ready to make the Brazilian superstar the second most-expensive player in the world despite the Premier League side's determination to keep hold of their talisman
BARCELONA are reportedly set to test Liverpool's resolve by launching a huge £118million offer for Philippe Coutinho.
The Catalans have been rebuffed in all their attempts to sign the playmaker as the Reds remain determined to keep hold of their star.
They have already knocked back one offer of £90m for their prized-asset, leading to the 25-year-old handing in a transfer request.
But now a report on in the Brazilian's homeland claims Nou Camp chiefs are ready to go back to Anfield with an offer that would make Coutinho the second most-expensive player of all-time.
Barcelona want the former Inter Milan ace and Borussia Dortmund attacker Ousmane Dembele to fill the void left by Neymar.
Things got worse for the La Liga giants this week as they suffered a humiliating defeat to bitter Real Madrid.
And the need for new boss Ernesto Valverde to strengthen his side was rammed home this week as the Catalans were thumped 5-1 on aggregate in the Spanish Super Cup.
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Despite Liverpool's determination to keep hold of Coutinho, Barca general manager Pep Segura says the double swoop for him and Dembele is "close" to being completed.
He told Spanish television channel TV3: “Coutinho and Dembele are both close.
“We are hopeful that they will end up wearing the Barca shirt.”
“Until deals are closed I can’t say anything. We know we have to help the team and reinforce it and that’s what we are doing.”
Despite the words of Segura, Valverde remained coy on the double swoop.
When asked whether the moves would be done before their La Liga opener against Real Betis on Sunday, he insisted: “I don’t know.”
Philippe Coutinho - The man Barca want to replace Neymar at the Nou Camp
- Born on June 12, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Joined Vasco de Gama aged sevenm but was signed by inter for €4m at just 16-years-old
- He stayed in Brazil for two years, making his debut as a teenager and helping the team to promotion in his second season
- Made his Inter debut in 2010 but struggled to break into the first team – loaned to Espanyol in January 2012, impressing with five goals in 16 matches
- After failing to establish himself in Italy, was sold to Liverpool for just £8.5m in January 2013
- Has since become one of Liverpool’s best players, winning Fans player of the year twice and being named in the Premier League team of the year in 2015
- Made his Brazil debut in 2010 but became an established regular in 2015
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