Liverpool news: Barcelona have two guarantees over Philippe Coutinho transfer deal
BARCELONA reportedly have two guarantees when it comes to their interest in Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho.
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Barcelona will step up their interest in Coutinho despite Liverpool rejecting three bids during the summer transfer window.
The Brazil international remains on the agenda of the Nou Camp giants, with the Catalan club viewing him as the perfect heir to club legend Andres Iniesta.
Liverpool, however, could prove tough negotiators given how much they fought to retain the services of the 25-year-old back in the summer.
But Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo say Barcelona already have two guarantees about a deal that would see Coutinho make the move to La Liga.
The first is, personal terms have already been agreed.
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Back in the summer, Barcelona and Coutinho agreed on the terms of his transfer, with the player likely to be given a five-year contract.
This has supposedly put Barcelona chiefs at ease with the Catalan giants aware of Coutinho’s burning desire to leave Liverpool for a new challenge elsewhere.
And Mundo Deportivo say Ernesto Valverde’s side also know Liverpool are willing to accept less for the midfielder than what they wanted in the summer.
Back then, Jurgen Klopp was demanding a huge £180million to let the player go.
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Barcelona were financially stronger after the sale of Neymar to PSG and Liverpool believed they could try and exploit it.
But now, midway through the season, Liverpool are ready to lower their demands.
It is said now they want a fee in the region of £123m, which would make him the second most-expensive player of all time.
Meanwhile, Coutinho has lauded Reds boss Klopp for turning him into one of the best players on the planet.
“He’s helped me a lot. I think the way he’s helped me to play when we don’t have the ball when the team is under pressure is really different,” he said.
“We’ve changed how we play. We’ve tried to switch to a different style and I think that bit by bit I’m getting better with that and hopefully that can continue.
“I’m now in a deeper position and I’m always trying to improve and be able to score goals and set off moves because my position demands it. I think playing there is a position where you get to play the ball a great deal.
“You become more involved in the game. It’s a position that I feel that I’ve adapted to and I like it.”
