- Liverpool agree sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona
- Catalan club to break British transfer record
- Coutinho could be announced as Barcelona player within next few hours
- SEE MORE: Emre Can’s Juventus salary has already been decided… and it’s insane
Barcelona have agreed a £142million deal to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool this January.
The news concludes a long-running transfer saga dating back to the summer when the Catalan club saw three bids for the Brazilian rejected.
Liverpool have since softened their stance and admitted defeat in the efforts to keep their talisman until the end of the season.
Barcelona will pay a British record transfer fee for the 25-year-old, who could be unveiled within the coming hours.
Coutinho to Barcelona done. £142m.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 6, 2018
Coutinho travelling to Barcelona tonight. Official confirmation tonight possible, or tomorrow.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) January 6, 2018
Liverpool have agreed a deal worth 160m Euros (£142m) for the sale of Coutinho to Barcelona. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) January 6, 2018
Coutinho will leave Liverpool having made 201 appearances and scored 54 goals since signing from Inter Milan for a bargain £8.5million in 2013.
Liverpool’s little magician has been a superb servant to the club over the past five years, emerging as one of Europe’s most accomplished playmakers and playing a prominent role in the Reds’ progression under Jurgen Klopp in recent seasons.
Losing him marks a crushing blow to the club’s fight for a top four finish in the Premier League, although his hefty fee grants Liverpool a valuable opportunity to reinvest in replacing him with world class talent.
Monaco’s Thomas Lemar continues to occupy the top-spot on the list of potential targets, with the Frenchman having been subject to a £75million bid in the summer.
After failing to secure his dream move in August, Coutinho has since responded admirably and devoted the first half of the season to taking Liverpool forward.
As disappointed as we are to see him go, we wish him all the best in his next challenge.