Barca agree RM818m Coutinho fee – report

LIVERPOOL have reportedly agreed to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £148.5million (RM818m).

But an announcement has been delayed until Liverpool have brought in a replacement for the Brazil star.

That is according to Yahoo Sport and if true, would mark the end of lengthy chase by the Spanish side to sign Coutinho.

And the deal would make him the second most expensive transfer of all time following Neymar’s move to Paris Saint Germain.

Earlier this week, Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez revealed they were in negotiations to sign a someone but wouldn’t confirm the identity of the player.

“We are negotiating with a player with the possibility that he can arrive. We hope it ends well. We hope to be able to present a new player,” he said.

It now appears as though Liverpool’s attempts to sign Thomas Lemar and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are part of their bid to replace Coutinho

“One could arrive or two could arrive. We are negotiating. My intention is that another player arrives and if possible two.”

The report says Coutinho was told by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group that he would be a Barcelona player by the end of the week.

This was after Coutinho submitted a transfer request earlier this month via email, which was instantly dismissed.

Liverpool have been briefing that Coutinho would not be allowed to leave and any business done was not linked to his exit.

But it now appears as though Liverpool’s attempts to sign Thomas Lemar and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are part of their efforts to replace Coutinho.

Liverpool had (RM355m) bid for Lemar rejected by Monaco and are yet to match Chelsea’s £40m (RM220m) offer for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Yahoo Sport say Liverpool have asked Barcelona to delay the completion of Coutinho’s move until they’ve signed a player.

The 25-year-old is currently on international duty with Brazil and has been deemed fit enough to play in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

He had been sidelined for Liverpool due to a back injury and recent reports suggested the back problem was due to emotional stress. – Express Newspapers