Barcelona launch £133m Philippe Coutinho bid… but Liverpool want £160m for the Brazilian

BARCELONA have launched a £133million bid for Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.

But Liverpool will apparently not accept a penny under £160m.

this morning claims Barca are offering £98m plus £35m in add-ons to sign the Reds playmaker.

It is said Liverpool will demand an “astronomical” fee for Coutinho, 25, and Spanish radio station believes that to be £160m.

The Anfield club rejected three bids in the summer with the last amounting to £114m.

Nike embarrassingly “announced” Coutinho’s Barcelona transfer on their website last week.

And the Brazil star was left out of Jurgen Klopp’s squad the following day for their visit to Burnley with the club citing injury.

When asked about the sportswear giants’ gaffe, Klopp said: “I couldn’t be less interested in anything in the world but somebody told me and I thought ‘wow’.”

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Coutinho skirted around addressing his future when asked about links to Barca last month.

He said: “I always say the same thing. I try to enjoy the moment.

“I like to play football and, every time when I go on the pitch, I try my best.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then stepped in to save his team-mate.

He said: “He’s a Liverpool player right now and he’s doing really well for us.”

Coutinho signed a five-year Liverpool contract in January.

And talk of a sensational Nou Camp switch has not affected him on the pitch.

The midfielder has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season.