Barcelona’s pursuit of Coutinho revealed in leaked emails

LONDON: Barcelona’s dogged summer pursuit of Philippe Coutinho has been revealed in a series of email exchanges by German publication Der Spiegel.

The Spanish giants were desperate to add the Brazilian to their ranks following the highprofile departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, though Liverpool held firm in one of the longest running sagas of the summer.

In the leaked information, details reveal Barcelona had guaranteed the player €115 million (RM575 million) for a five-year contract, with €10 million promised to his agent should a transfer fee for the player be negotiated under the £100 million mark.

The astronomical earnings promised to the player would have placed him within the elite bracket at the club, between former Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez and the Spanish stalwarts of the team including Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta.

Working out at around €23 million per year before tax, the weekly earnings of the player would have comfortably doubled his current £150,000 (RM846,000) per week deal at Liverpool — a sum which makes him the club’s highest earner.

The information also shows Liverpool’s persistence in fending off the aggressive Spaniards, standing firm on their stance of not allowing their prized asset to leave.

In an email, Sporting Director Michael Edwards wrote to Oscar Grau, the Chairman of the Board of Management of FC Barcelona, stating clearly: “Unfortunately, Philippe cannot be sold at any price and, as you know, he has recently extended his contract with us.”

Undeterred Barca returned with a significantly improved offer — a fixed up front bid of €90 million with €40 million in addons.

A further reply from Liverpool chief Edwards stated: “I would kindly ask you to refrain from showing Philippe both privately and publicly... no sum will lead us to reverse our decision.” Daily Mail