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Liverpool handed boost with Barcelona ‘not able to afford’ Philippe Coutinho if they sign Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele

Catalan giants may not have the full £198million to spend following Neymar's sensational move to Paris Saint-Germain

LIVERPOOL'S hopes of stopping Philippe Coutinho joining Barcelona have been boosted by the news that the Catalan giants are also after Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele.

It has been assumed Barca will have the full £198million they got for Neymar at their disposal - but Graham Hunter explains this may not be the case.

 Philippe Coutinho has been linked to replace Neymar at Barcelona
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Philippe Coutinho has been linked to replace Neymar at BarcelonaCredit: Rex Features
 Ousmane Dembele is also high on Barcelona's shopping list
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Ousmane Dembele is also high on Barcelona's shopping listCredit: Reuters

Barca are on the look for replacements for the winger following his sensational switch to PSG, with Dembele and Coutinho being the favourites to arrive at the Nou Camp.


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But Spanish football journalist Hunter, told 5live: "I think it is really important for everyone to understand that they don't have it all.

"First of all, when you balance your books, they've spent in terms of bonuses, in terms of buying the player, in terms of legal fees, well over 100m on securing Neymar, across the four years, one of the most elongated and strange moves of any player from one club to another.

"But that's the end of it, Barcelona are taxed on what they get from Paris Saint-Germain."

He added: "They have spent huge money on new contracts for [Luis] Suarez, [Lionel] Messi, [Sergio] Busquets, [Ivan] Rakitic and [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen.

"I do not believe they can afford Coutinho and Dembele."

 Neymars £198m world-record move to PSG stunned the footballing community
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Neymars £198m world-record move to PSG stunned the footballing communityCredit: Splash News
 It is believed Barcelona will not be able to afford both targets
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It is believed Barcelona will not be able to afford both targetsCredit: Rex Features
 The Catalan giants have given the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez new deals
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The Catalan giants have given the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez new dealsCredit: AFP or licensors

Liverpool reportedly rejected Barca's £90m bid for Coutinho, who has been ruled out of the Reds' Premier League opener against Watford.

Meanwhile Dembele has been fined and suspended by Dortmund after going AWOL following the interest from the Nou Camp.

Barca have also been linked with a shock swoop for Real Madrid's Marco Asensio as they prepare to activate his £72million release clause.

 Philippe Coutinho has been ruled out of Liverpool's season opener
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Philippe Coutinho has been ruled out of Liverpool's season openerCredit: Rex Features
 Ousmane Dembele has been suspended and fined by Dortmund
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Ousmane Dembele has been suspended and fined by DortmundCredit: EPA

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