Barcelona break British transfer record to seal Philippe Coutinho deal

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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 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.

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