Liverpool chiefs promise Philippe Coutinho he will be allowed to join Barcelona in January

LIVERPOOL chiefs have promised Philippe Coutinho he will be allowed to join Barcelona in January, providing the La Liga club make a respectable offer.

Liverpool's Coutinho scores wonder goal against Moscow

The Brazil international made headlines in the summer as he looked to secure a move to the Nou Camp.

However, Liverpool were reluctant to part with their star man and rebuffed all of Barca’s attempts, including a bid in the region of £114million.

Barca are unlikely to give up their pursuit anytime soon though with Coutinho still desperate to join.

And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Liverpool bosses are finally ready to let the 25-year-old leave.

They claim Coutinho was reluctant to play in the Champions League for Liverpool this season because it meant he wouldn’t be able to represent Barca in the same competition if he moved in January.

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Philippe CoutinhoGETTY

Philippe Coutinho is hopeful of completing a move to Barcelona in January

In order to convince the Brazilian to play in Europe, Liverpool chiefs promised him they’d let him move to La Liga in the New Year.

Seeing no other way to try and force his move to Barca, Coutinho agreed to Liverpool’s wishes and has already represented the club in draws with Sevilla and Spartak Moscow.

Coutinho knows he cannot play for Barca in the Champions League this season but that has not put him off joining.

The attacker is now hoping Liverpool stick to their promise and sell to Barca when the January transfer window opens.

Philippe CoutinhoGETTY

Philippe Coutinho would not be able to represent Barcelona in the Champions League this season

Mundo Deportivo say Coutinho remains in contact with Barca and the club are keen to wrap up a deal as soon as possible with Paris Saint-Germain showing interest.

The Ligue 1 giants are keen on bringing Coutinho to the French capital but due to Financial Fair Play regulations they would have to wait until the summer to strike a deal with the Reds.

While Coutinho only has eyes for Barca at the moment, the La Liga club don’t want to have to battle PSG for his signature in the summer and they are working round the clock to ensure he becomes a Barca player in the coming months.

Luis Suarez has even reportedly been in touch with Coutinho to make sure he does choose Barca over the French side with his Brazil team-mate Neymar keen on pairing up with him in Paris.

Coutinho, who has scored three goals for the Reds this season, is under contract with Liverpool until 2022 but did submit a transfer request last summer as he tried to secure a move to Barcelona.

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