Liverpool News: Antoine Griezmann cost Barcelona the signing of Philippe Coutinho

Barcelona tried to sign Coutinho from Liverpool over the summer, tabling three bids for the 25-year-old as they sought a replacement for Neymar.

However, Ernesto Valverde’s side were unable to get a deal done with Jurgen Klopp always insisting Coutinho would not be going anywhere.

But Spanish outlet Diario Gol have sensationally claimed that Barcelona were the ones who stopped a transfer from happening - rather than Liverpool.

It is said that the club were, at one point, hellbent on securing his signature.

Yet, instead of shelling out a club-record fee for Coutinho, they ultimately decided against it.

And Diario Gol say their interest in Griezmann was the reason why.

The France international looked primed to join Manchester United in the summer, only for Atletico Madrid’s transfer ban to scupper the deal.

The 26-year-old has continued his fine form into this season but may yet be on the move at the end of the current campaign.

And Barcelona are supposedly readying a bid to sign him.

Valverde has been reportedly unimpressed by Luis Suarez’s performances this season, despite the Uruguayan scoring an equaliser in Barca’s 1-1 draw with Atletico on Saturday night.

Griezmann could be his natural replacement at the Nou Camp and would be the marquee signing fans crave.

Meanwhile, speaking last week, the forward’s Atletico team-mate Flilipe Luis claimed Griezmann played United like a fiddle over the summer.

“[Griezmann] is a guy who speaks very clearly and often players talk when they feel they are not being valued as they deserve. Then they start to attract attention,” the left-back told El Mundo.

“He will have had many offers from many teams and a player of his stature wants to get the best contract.

“And he deserves it, because Griezmann is playing a big role here [at Atletico]."