Barcelona are pressing ahead with their plans to sign Coutinho from Liverpool, despite failing to secure the player’s signature back in the summer.

The Brazil international could move to the Nou Camp for a fee in the region of £135million, and Express Sport understands Barcelona are optimistic over a deal.

However, Spanish website Don Balon say Dembele is opposed to the 25-year-old arriving from Liverpool.

Dembele only joined Barcelona himself in the summer, moving to the Nou Camp as a replacement for Neymar.

Ernesto Valverde’s side spent a huge £120million to sign the France international from Borussia Dortmund.

Dembele started brightly but injuries have hampered his first season in Catalonia.

And Don Balon say the France forward fears for his place if Coutinho arrives from Liverpool.

He supposedly thinks Valverde may drop him and field Coutinho up top with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi instead.

Dembele is also annoyed at the prospect of Coutinho’s price tag usurping his own.

Particularly given how he has struggled to settle due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports man Guillem Balague claims Barcelona want a deal for Coutinho done within the next week.

"Discussions between clubs are taking place about the price right now. I think contracts are being written,” he said. 

“The figure Liverpool will start considering is 150m euros (£133m), and Barcelona will be willing to pay even more as they want this to happen. Barcelona will want to announce it next week.

"Barcelona will go as far as it takes to bring Coutinho now. The squad are putting pressure for that to happen - it is the kind of quality the team needs to keep winning titles.

"Both Coutinho and Barcelona want this sorted now. They don't consider the possibility of agreeing now for the summer. That scenario only benefits Liverpool, it doesn't benefit Barcelona or Coutinho."