Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho BACK in full training for Brazil
Barcelona appear to be close to a breakthrough after weeks of negotiations with Liverpool over Coutinho.
Reports are suggesting the Catalan giants will announce the signing of the 25-year-old at 7pm, with the player set to sign for a huge £148million.
But Spanish website Don Balon claims the Brazil international was not initially the player club talisman Messi wanted most at Barcelona.
Instead, the Argentina international supposedly was in favour of two alternative transfer deals involving French duo Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.
Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi did not want Philippe Coutinho
His No1 choice was said to be PSG midfielder Marco Verratti.
The Italy international was tipped to leave the Parc des Princes earlier in the summer following their failure to win the Ligue 1 title last term.
But the arrival of Neymar changed things.
Neymar left Barcelona and the two clubs’ transfer relationship has been damaged since.
GETTY
Barcelona transfer news: Lionel Messi preferred Marco Verratti to Philippe Coutinho
PSG were reportedly unwilling to sell Barcelona Julian Draxler and they also continue to play hard ball over a deal that would take former Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria to the Nou Camp.
Additionally, Don Balon say Barcelona’s No10 was also a fan of Bernardo Silva.
The Portugal international flourished for Monaco last season, prompting interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid.
But Silva ended up moving to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City instead, and started their dramatic 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the weekend.
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