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Philippe Coutinho came to play with his ‘idols’ as Barcelona prepare to unveil £145m signing
The former Liverpool playmaker has sealed a switch to the La Liga giants in a reported £145million deal
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PHILIPPE COUTINHO says he signed for Barcelona to win silverware with his “idols”.
Coutinho’s £145million move sees him follow in the footsteps of Luis Suarez, who made the switch from Liverpool in 2014 and won the Champions League and La Liga in his first season.
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He donned the Barcelona colours for the first time on Sunday night and will be unveiled on Monday after signing his contract and completing his medical.
Coutinho, 25, said: “It is incredible to know I will be around idols, with players who have such a great history like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets — all the great players.
“To be able to play football, win titles, make the fans happy and play with a smile. These are the objectives.
“I am very happy to know I will be playing with them and I hope to be able to learn, live and win together.
“I am very happy. I have always said I am living a dream, we are very happy to be here.”
Philippe Coutinho has joined Barcelona for £145m - Here are his best bits for Liverpool
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Suarez, who will live in the same neighbourhood as the Brazilian, welcomed his fellow South American with open arms and backed him to hit the ground running.
The Uruguayan, who scored 82 Liverpool goals in 133 games before leaving in a £75m deal, is convinced Coutinho is the man to help him bag more trophies.
He said: “As a team-mate and as a friend, I’m very happy.
“He’s going to contribute a lot to the team and everybody knows the quality that he has.
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“He’s been in the elite for many years and we’ll help him to feel at home and adapt straight away.”
Coutinho jetted into Catalonia on Saturday to complete a deal that still requires a medical, which should be done today.
Liverpool’s Fenway Group owners are reported to have asked Barcelona if Coutinho could have been loaned back for the rest of the season, given he is cup-tied in the Champions League. But this was rejected by the Spanish giants and Coutinho is set to make his debut in the Copa del Rey tie against Celta Vigo on Thursday.
He added: “I gave 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time I played for Liverpool.
“For five years, I did everything I could possibly do. I love this club but it is time for a new adventure.
“I have so many memories and have so many people to thank at Liverpool. I have to improve as a player. In my head, I always think this.”
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He did not attend Barcelona’s 3-0 home win against Levante last night, where Lionel Messi marked his 400th Barcelona appearance with a goal.
That was to prevent any distractions on the pitch, but boss Ernesto Valverde was happy to talk about Coutinho afterwards.
He said: “He can provide us with a lot of things. He can score goals, make assists and he can play in the middle and on the flanks.
“We hope he will help us and that he has a lot of luck. He is one of the important names in the world of football.”
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Coutinho, who received congratulatory phonecalls from Brazil team-mates Willian and David Luiz, fills the gap left by compatriot Neymar’s world-record departure to Paris Saint-Germain last summer for £198m.
But many Nou Camp experts expect him to become club captain Andres Iniesta’s long-term replacement.
Valverde would not be drawn on the long-term plans and said: “We’ll wait for him, to see him train for at least one day. I’ve seen him play in many positions, both in Liverpool and in his national team and, of course, I don’t see him as a goalkeeper.”
Coutinho’s contract also has a 400m euros buyout clause inserted to ward off all suitors.
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Reports in Spain claimed Real Madrid tried to hijack the deal at the 11th hour and were ready to pay £177m.
But neither club were willing to comment and the player had long since decided Barca was his dream destination.
Liverpool have now banked a massive profit from a player they bought from Inter Milan for just £8.5m in 2013.
Now Kop boss Jurgen Klopp is looking into the possibility of using some of the cash from Coutinho’s sale to lure Naby Keita to Anfield this month.
The Reds have already agreed a £48m deal to sign the RB Leipzig midfielder next summer.
Klopp is also eyeing a move for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, who snubbed a £92m transfer to Arsenal on deadline day in August.
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez is also a possible target.
Luis Suarez, Ernesto Valverede and Paulinho react to Philippe Coutinho’s arrival at Barcelona
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