Coutinho start delayed by injury

Philippe Coutinho officially joined Barcelona yesterday, completing a move from Liverpool thought to be worth £106 million, making it the third richest transfer in history.

Coutinho, 25, signed a five-year contract in a ceremony alongside Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

But minutes before he put pen to paper, the club said a thigh injury would delay his debut until the end of January.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde has predicted the Brazilian will comfortably fit into a team already containing global superstar Lionel Messi.

In a video message on Sunday showing Coutinho posing for photographers at the Camp Nou wearing a Barcelona jacket, he said: “I want to play, win trophies and make the supporters happy. Those are my objectives.

“Barca fans, I’m here now. It’s a dream come true!”

Coutinho said he was excited about playing alongside Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta.

He described them as well as club stalwarts Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets as “idols”.

The timing of the Catalans’ move for Coutinho has been questioned because he will not be able to play in the Champions League this season having already played in the competition for Liverpool. – AFP

Neymar, Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, 2017, £200.6 million

Kylian Mbappe, Monaco to PSG, £160m (Note: to be completed in June, after current loan spell ends)

Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018, £106.4m (+40 million bonus)

Ousmane Dembele, Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, 2017, £96.8m (+42 million bonus)

Paul Pogba, Juventus to ManUnited, 2016, £89m (+5 bonus)

Gareth Bale, Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013, £85.3m

Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United to Real Madrid, 2009, £80m

Gonzalo Higuain, Napoli to Juventus, 2016, £75.3m