Barcelona chiefs break silence about signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool
Liverpool are said to have quoted Barcelona a fee of £183m to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer, according to the Spanish club
Liverpool quoted Barcelona a staggering price tag of £183m to sign Philippe Coutinho in the summer transfer window, according to the Spanish club’s director Albert Soler.
The Brazil international’s future was a relentless source of speculation throughout the summer transfer window as he emerged as a prime target for the Merseyside outfit.
Coutinho attempted to try and force a move to Barcelona by handing in a transfer request towards the end of last month.
However, Barcelona failed in their attempts to try and lure the Brazil international to Camp Nou.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Barcelona chief Soler outlined what happened with the Coutinho transfer saga.
Soler said: “On Friday, after weeks of offers and talks, Liverpool put a price on the player that we wanted [Coutinho].
“A price of €200m (£183m) and we decided we wouldn’t do it.
“That’s an example of the way football is now. This club and this board will not get involved in that, though.
“What’s happened in the transfer market this summer has taken us to a totally different model of football which we’re not used to.”
Coutinho is yet to feature for Liverpool this season after having struggled with a back injury.
However, the Brazilian featured for his national team last week and could be in line to make his first Premier League appearance of the season when the Reds take on Manchester City at The Etihad after the international break on Saturday lunchtime.
Liverpool have made a strong start to the Premier League season in Coutinho’s absence, having won two and drawn one of their opening three games to leave them second in the table.
