Liverpool slap ‘£134MILLION price-tag’ on Philippe Coutinho in bid to ward off Barcelona
Catalan giants are looking for a replacement for Neymar
LIVERPOOL have put a massive £134MILLION price-tag on the head of Philippe Coutinho, according to reports in Spain.
The Brazilian star is being chased by Barcelona as they target potential replacements for Neymar.
Liverpool have no intention - or need - to sell the 25-year-old, with Jurgen Klopp desperate to keep him at Anfield next season.
According to Diario Sport, Liverpool have sent a message to Barca with the inflated fee.
But there may be a spanner in the works - with Coutinho reportedly telling Klopp that he wants to move to the Nou Camp and already agreeing to terms in principle.
Coutinho is said to have held showdown talks with Klopp, telling the German he is desperate to leave.
The La Liga giants still intend to press ahead with a move and will make another formal offer next week.
But the Reds may be disappointed with the fee on offer, with Barca intending to pay closer to £75million.
Latest Liverpool transfer news
Who is Philippe Coutinho?
- Born on June 12, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Joined Vasco de Gama aged sevenm but was signed by inter for €4m at just 16-years-old
- He stayed in Brazil for two years, making his debut as a teenager and helping the team to promotion in his second season
- Made his Inter debut in 2010 but struggled to break into the first team - loaned to Espanyol in January 2012, impressing with five goals in 16 matches
- After failing to establish himself in Italy, was sold to Liverpool for just £8.5m in January 2013
- Has since become one of Liverpool's best players, winning Fans player of the year twice and being named in the Premier League team of the year in 2015
- Made his Brazil debut in 2010 but became an established regular in 2015
Coutinho only signed a new five-year contract in January and the Reds are under no pressure to sell.
Last week Klopp said of Coutinho: "I’m not surprised that any clubs are interested in players at Liverpool.
"A few people obviously see that a Liverpool has a few good players.
"But its a very important message to make – we are not a selling club. That’s how it is."
Barcelona see the Brazilian international as the perfect replacement for Neymar, who continues to be linked with a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain.
