Barcelona Officials Arrive in London to Negotiate Philippe Coutinho £89m Transfer Amids Neymar's Doubt

Barcelona officials are in England to negotiate a deal for Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, according to reports in Spain. The La Liga giants had a bid of £75million rejected for the Brazilian last week but the Catalans remain determined to sign Coutinho. Neymar, 25, is believed to be edging closer to a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have accelerated their interest in Coutinho as they fear losing the Brazil striker.

Spanish newspaper Sport lead with Coutinho on their front page on Tuesday morning and claim Barcelona representatives are in England to discuss an £89m transfer to the Nou Camp.

Jurgen Klopp maintains Coutinho is not for sale at any price but Barcelona’s hopes could hinge on the playmaker pushing for the move.

‘Everyone knows that Phil Coutinho is a key player for us. I know that he feels completely more than fine, comfortable, whatever, in Liverpool,’ the German said after Saturday’s pre-season win over Leicester.

‘He loves the club and the city – that’s clear. That he’s able to play like that tonight in a very difficult moment of the pre-season after all these sessions is good to see. That shows his big potential.’

Barcelona have spent just £40m this summer on the likes of Nelson Semedo and Gerard Deulofeu but those purchases are unlikely to appease the club’s fanbase, who watched on last season as rivals Real Madrid lifted a league and Champions League double.

Though Liverpool appear unlikely at this stage to give in to Bareclona’s advances, they could use the cash to fund a deal for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita.

The Reds have had two bids rejected for the midfielder so far this summer and are refusing to meet the Bundesliga club’s £80m valuation.

Credit: Metro

Comments

Roma Midfielder Signs New Deal with Italian Club

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Belgium international had been linked with Manchester United in Italian media, while Chelsea were also reported to be interested. This was coupled by suggestions that Nainggolan was growing impatient with the numerous delays in receiving a contract proposal from the capital club. However, the 29-year-old has put any doubts about his future to bed by extending his contract until 2021, in a deal that will see him earn €4.5 million per season, including bonuses, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think I have demonstrated that this is what I always wanted," Nainggolan said. "I'm very happy that the club and I can continue our adventure and move forward together." Nainggolan has played 161 times for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014. Nainggolan becomes the third senior central midfielder to extend their contract at Roma th...

Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United Need, Says Fortmer Tottenham Manager

The signing of a proven world-class forward such as Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United need to compete for the biggest prizes, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis has said. Sanchez, 29, joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Arsenal on Monday, 22 January, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction in a straight-swap deal. "Sanchez is a real goal-scorer, he's talented and he's aggressive around the box and he makes things happen, he can pull teams through," he told Sky Sports.Francis described the Chilean forward as a match-winner who will aid United in their quest to win silverware by adding some much-needed potency to their attack. "It's [about] the present, you're looking to win trophies and looking to win competitions and, sometimes, you need to buy and have the finished article and Sanchez is certainly that. "It just makes them as a squad that much stronger. Certainly, a much bigger goal-threat with Sa...

Tiemoue Bakayoko is a Better Player than Nathaniel Chalobah, Insists Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte has been forced to defend his Chelsea transfer policy after replacing homegrown youngster Nathaniel Chalobah with the £40million signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko. The Blues have long been criticised for favouring big-name and big-money transfers over promoting their own youth talent, and the purchase of Bakayoko whilst selling Chalobah looks to be the latest example. Chalobah, 22, played 15 games for Chelsea last season but struggled to hold down a regular place in the side before a £5m move to Watford this summer. Conte, however, insists that Bakayoko is a major upgrade given his experience of winning major honours and competing in the biggest competitions such as the Champions League. ‘I think, honestly, at this moment there is a great difference between the two players,’ Conte said. ‘You are talking about one player who has played with Monaco, who has maybe 100 appearances for that club. ‘He has played in the Champions League and has played regularly. ...

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog