Liverpool agree £142 million deal to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona

[Abdullah719]

Liverpool have agreed a €160 million (£142m) deal to sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona in the biggest-ever transfer involving a British club. An announcement is expected to be made within hours.

Coutinho is due to fly out to Barcelona later on Saturday evening to finalise terms, with the move including a significant immediate down-payment following by achievable, guaranteed add-ons.

Coutinho earlier withdrew from the Liverpool squad that is heading to Dubai for a few days' break after the FA Cup victory over Everton on Friday evening, for which he was officially injured.

The deal concludes a long-running transfer saga, with the Brazilian international having hoped he would move to Barcelona last summer following the world-record sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool refused to sell then with owners Fenway Sports Group taking the unusual step of releasing a statement declaring that the player would not be sold in that transfer window. But the club has softened its stance in recent weeks - the negotiations being something of a coup for Coutinho’s representative Kia Joorabchian.

Relations between all parties have remained amicable during the negotiations and it is regarded as a good deal for everyone.

Liverpool spent a world-record fee for a defender recently when they signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for £75m. It remains to be seen whether they try and sign a replacement for Coutinho in this window.

The Coutinho deal is the biggest ever involving a British club and the biggest ever signing made by Spanish club. It is the third-highest ever after the PSG deals for Neymar - close to £200m after his release clause was activated - and Kylian Mbappe.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football...illion-deal-sell-philippe-coutinho-barcelona/

 

[Markhor]

Well it was fun while it lasted.

Sadly we're a stepping stone club these days with only 1 trophy in 11 years. If we actually won trophies we might have a better chance of keeping our best players.

 

[carbon11]

Writing was on the wall along time ago , I knew he would be gone in January or at the end of the season

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good signing for Barcelona.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="pt" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://twitter.com/Phil_Coutinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Phil_Coutinho</a>!<br>Bem-vindo! Welcome! Benvingut! ¡Bienvenido!<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeBarça</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/For%C3%A7aBar%C3%A7a?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForçaBarça</a> <a href="https://t.co/NnQDY3CD0C">pic.twitter.com/NnQDY3CD0C</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/949717327108481024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PakLFC]

Like it or not these Hispanic players mostly use the EPL to secure a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Can't have a player with a long face in the team spoiling the atmosphere. Even if Liverpool were winning trophies it would be near impossible to convince him to stay. It is the timing of the move that concerns me the most unless we have a replacement lined up. If not, the transfer will rightfully be heavily criticised. Teams of players we target as replacement will keep increasing the asking price knowing we are cash rich. Should have signed a replacement before selling him like Spurs did with Gareth Bale. We're not the smartest club in the world when it comes to such things. On a brighter side we are getting fantastic money for a player we signed for near £9 million.

 

[MMHS]

Not a problem at all to be honest. Latin players do wish to go to Spain. There are enough talent available to replace him and he is not CR or Messi to be honest - I'll take that money this time.

Problem is, last time Yanks sold Suarez, and then brought Rickey Lambert ....... I don't mind selling players for OTT money (if it's 142mn indeed, it's at least 50mn more, even in this market, considering Pogba is around 89mn), specially if the player isn't interested - AND THAT'S WHY I NEVER LOOK AT THE GROSS SPEND BY A CLUB - IT'S ABOUT NET SPEND and the Yanks has stole the whole cake bluffing fans.

After, being lower than Watford, West Ham & C Palace for net spending in last 4 years, those cunning Yanks spent about 40mn last window - add to that 75mn for VVD, that's 115mn - that's makes about 25mn profit this year at the end. Last years, Liverpool's earnings for EPL only was

Liverpool
Matches televised: 29
TV income: £31.4m
Prize money: £32.6m
Equal share: £84.4m
Total: £148.4

Add to that, around 85mn from gate and together with other incomes, it stands like 343mn (can't find the source now but it's around that, was higher before devaluation of BP) - that's more than combined earnings of Watford, C Palace & West Ham. This was without CL money - this years add at least 75mn for CL (Tv, if we are out by round of 16), 10mn for gate (4 matches, 54K sell out, at average 38bp/ticket) and I expect a 10-12% increase of earnings from EPL ....

Net net, I expect that earning to reach 450mn+ next year - 40% of that is around 200mn, add around 50mn from sale & 200mn investment (it's like Jerusalem, once promised.....) from owners - that's about 450mn at transfer kitty!!! I want just half of that (leave that Jerusalem) - a GK (Oblak 60mn), a CB (Koulibaly 60mn), a left Back (Rodrigues 50mn) and a young Cetre Forward (50mn) ~ 220mn, and Kieta.

These Yanks are robbing Liverpool FC and they'll keep Klopp as long as he agrees to serve their purpose.

 

[proud_pakistani]

As a Liverpool fan very sad day. There are certain players that you enjoy your team and the game for and Coutinho was surely one of those.

Now that this is done I just hope that the money is reinvested properly. With Klopp handling transfers I am hopeful the 142 million will not go to waste. He has generally signed his priority targets specifically Nabi Keita and VVD which makes me certain that any player that comes in to take on the role Coutinho had will be a worthy replacement. I would perhaps like to see either Lemar or Nabil Fekir take that role. Also would like it if we can make a move for Sanchez.

This is off topic but also need to discuss Can. Ideally Goretzka comes in on a free. My team next season ideally would look like this.

--------------------------------Butland-----------------------------------
Clyne------------Virgil--------------------------Matip------------Robertson
---------------Keita/Ox-----------------------Goretzka/Hendo-------------
Salah---------------------------Lemar/Fekir--------------------------Mane
------------------------------Sanchez/Firmino-----------------------------

 

[Bewal Express]

How much is Salah worth?

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Well it was fun while it lasted.

Sadly we're a stepping stone club these days with only 1 trophy in 11 years. If we actually won trophies we might have a better chance of keeping our best players.

+1

Liverpool haven't won a trophy for almost 6 years - it's very difficult to attract or keep hold of the best players in the world with that kind of record.

 

[PakLFC]

That's Football folks! Southampton are our feeder club and we seem to be Barca's now! Must start winning trophies very soon if we are to keep our top players. Already fearing for the future off Mane, Salah and Firmino. Must use the money wisely on a Lemar or someone of that class. Please, no Mahrez for goodness sake.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Modern day football ... no complaints from me. £142 m is great price for coutinho, flash but ultimately bit of a lightweight.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

Virgil’s grand unveiling kinda put an end to Coutinho

Too technical for Liverpool, will be able to weave away in Barca

Liverpool make a massive profit and create an opening for Chamberlain who will be looking to get in on the right wing at the World Cup

 

[Hasan123]

Not a problem at all to be honest. Latin players do wish to go to Spain. There are enough talent available to replace him and he is not CR or Messi to be honest - I'll take that money this time.

Problem is, last time Yanks sold Suarez, and then brought Rickey Lambert ....... I don't mind selling players for OTT money (if it's 142mn indeed, it's at least 50mn more, even in this market, considering Pogba is around 89mn), specially if the player isn't interested - AND THAT'S WHY I NEVER LOOK AT THE GROSS SPEND BY A CLUB - IT'S ABOUT NET SPEND and the Yanks has stole the whole cake bluffing fans.

After, being lower than Watford, West Ham & C Palace for net spending in last 4 years, those cunning Yanks spent about 40mn last window - add to that 75mn for VVD, that's 115mn - that's makes about 25mn profit this year at the end. Last years, Liverpool's earnings for EPL only was

Liverpool
Matches televised: 29
TV income: £31.4m
Prize money: £32.6m
Equal share: £84.4m
Total: £148.4

Add to that, around 85mn from gate and together with other incomes, it stands like 343mn (can't find the source now but it's around that, was higher before devaluation of BP) - that's more than combined earnings of Watford, C Palace & West Ham. This was without CL money - this years add at least 75mn for CL (Tv, if we are out by round of 16), 10mn for gate (4 matches, 54K sell out, at average 38bp/ticket) and I expect a 10-12% increase of earnings from EPL ....

Net net, I expect that earning to reach 450mn+ next year - 40% of that is around 200mn, add around 50mn from sale & 200mn investment (it's like Jerusalem, once promised.....) from owners - that's about 450mn at transfer kitty!!! I want just half of that (leave that Jerusalem) - a GK (Oblak 60mn), a CB (Koulibaly 60mn), a left Back (Rodrigues 50mn) and a young Cetre Forward (50mn) ~ 220mn, and Kieta.

These Yanks are robbing Liverpool FC and they'll keep Klopp as long as he agrees to serve their purpose.

Oblak will never ever ever join Liverpool.

 

[Hasan123]

Good signing for Barcalona. Good business by Liverpool. He didn't want to be at Liverpool anymore. They can use the money to spend on areas which they are weak in.

 

[carbon11]

Good signing for Barcalona. Good business by Liverpool. He didn't want to be at Liverpool anymore. They can use the money to spend on areas which they are weak in.

I don't expect big signings , probably likes of Mahrez

It would be good if we can get Lemar but i reckon Monaco will drive a hard bargain .

But make no mistake losing a proper world class player like coutinho is a big loss

 

[Hasan123]

I don't expect big signings , probably likes of Mahrez

It would be good if we can get Lemar but i reckon Monaco will drive a hard bargain .

But make no mistake losing a proper world class player like coutinho is a big loss

Big loss but Salah ,Mane, and Firminho compensate for his loss.

 

[MMHS]

Oblak will never ever ever join Liverpool.

There are at least 50 GKs in between Oblak & Mignolet. However, Athletico's fortune is going to change in downward direction - 65mn + one of Migo/Karius (or 75mn cash), might test their nerves; 85mn should do it. De Gea & Cortois are at around 200K/week; Oblack won't mind for 200+/week ....

85mn + 115mn in 10 years (11.5mn/year or 210K/week) ~ 200mn for 10 years deal .... it'll be a steal, trust me, day light robbery. Top class GK is like radium these days - to me, the best ever transfer steal was when Juve paid $50mn+ in 2002, for a 23 years old GK ........

 

[Hasan123]

There are at least 50 GKs in between Oblak & Mignolet. However, Athletico's fortune is going to change in downward direction - 65mn + one of Migo/Karius (or 75mn cash), might test their nerves; 85mn should do it. De Gea & Cortois are at around 200K/week; Oblack won't mind for 200+/week ....

85mn + 115mn in 10 years (11.5mn/year or 210K/week) ~ 200mn for 10 years deal .... it'll be a steal, trust me, day light robbery. Top class GK is like radium these days - to me, the best ever transfer steal was when Juve paid $50mn+ in 2002, for a 23 years old GK ........

They will sell Griezmann for the price your quoting for Oblak, maybe even more . So they won't need the money than. Furthmore if Oblak was available other teams would be interested like PSG, who could outbid Liverpool. Also they are more likely to compete for the champions league and also living in Paris will help. He won't move to Liverpool if he became available and he wouldn't want too.

Yes top GK are rare. The best ones are already at top clubs. Going to be a struggle for Arsenal and Liverpool to find one.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Best of luck to to him.

He has been an awesome player for Liverpool. I dont have an issue with him leaving, he deserves to win trophies.

 

[Saj]

He wanted to leave earlier in the season but Liverpool asked him to stay till January.

Huge loss for Liverpool and it'll be interesting to see who they sign as his replacement.

 

[WC-Passion]

They will sell Griezmann for the price your quoting for Oblak, maybe even more . So they won't need the money than. Furthmore if Oblak was available other teams would be interested like PSG, who could outbid Liverpool. Also they are more likely to compete for the champions league and also living in Paris will help. He won't move to Liverpool if he became available and he wouldn't want too.

Yes top GK are rare. The best ones are already at top clubs. Going to be a struggle for Arsenal and Liverpool to find one.

Leno or Oblak should be obtainable for Arsenal and Liverpool, they just need to get into the UCL for next season and pay big wages.

 

[Hasan123]

Leno or Oblak should be obtainable for Arsenal and Liverpool, they just need to get into the UCL for next season and pay big wages.

Not convinced on Leno. Would love Ter Stegan but not going to happen.

 

[WC-Passion]

Not convinced on Leno. Would love Ter Stegan but not going to happen.

Until Ter Stegen's upward form this season, Leno always has been the second best German keeper behind Neuer. He's reflexes and reactions have saved Leverkusen multiple times, his distribution can be dodgy though. He's definitely an upgrade on an ageing Cech, or Mingolet.

 

[Hasan123]

Until Ter Stegen's upward form this season, Leno always has been the second best German keeper behind Neuer. He's reflexes and reactions have saved Leverkusen multiple times, his distribution can be dodgy though. He's definitely an upgrade on an ageing Cech, or Mingolet.

Ter Stegan has always had the ability and has always been superior to Leno. No top club is interested in Leno and he has a mistake in him.

Btw Oblak will end up at PSG if he became available.

 

[PakLFC]

Apparently, Couts himself paid L'pool £13 million so desperate was he to leave. Good to get this monkey of our back even though was expecting him to stay at least until the summer. I have great faith in JK, he knows what he is doing only wanting those willing to die for the cause to wear the red jersey. He bought in the likes of Mane and Salah, expecting JK to pull out another rabbit from his hat!

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55357;&#56714; Done deal! <a href="https://twitter.com/Phil_Coutinho?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Phil_Coutinho</a><br>&#55357;&#56629;&#55357;&#56628; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoutinhoDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoutinhoDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/8djvhmytAO">pic.twitter.com/8djvhmytAO</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/950340408818749440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[WC-Passion]

Ter Stegan has always had the ability and has always been superior to Leno. No top club is interested in Leno and he has a mistake in him.

Btw Oblak will end up at PSG if he became available.

Ter Stegen always has made some howlers over the years for FCB, it's the reason why he never booted out Bravo until he was sold in his final season. Bravo was never a world class keeper, so if Ter Stegen was always that good he should've been number 1 a while ago, while Leno has been top at Leverkusen for the whole time.

Unless PSG sell some players, there is no way they can buy Oblak as they won't be able to get round FFP.

 

[giri26]

Barcelona Record Signing Coutinho out for three weeks due to injury

Barcelona have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho has a thigh injury and will not be able to make his debut for the club for around three weeks.

Just hours after completing his €160 million move - a record signing for the Camp Nou side - from Liverpool, the 25-year-old suffered the frustrating news, which was made public as the playmaker was presented by his new club on Monday.

Coutinho underwent a medical during the morning , which revealed a right thigh problem that the club expect to keep him sidelined for three weeks, having missed his final match for Liverpool, an FA Cup derby against Everton, because of injury.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/barcelo...-three-weeks-due-to/p9dcoyai2m461rk2x4e8dwrqf

 

[PakLFC]

He has left Liverpool fans a message on Instagram thanking the club and fans, blah...blah...blah!. As he said a players career is short. I can understand he wanted to play for his dream club. I am afraid unless we regularly start winning things our top players will continue leaving. Don't blame the owners when it was JK's decision to sell him.

“Since the moment I arrived in Liverpool, me and my family have been made to feel so welcome and have made so many friends,” said Coutinho, in a message posted on his Instagram account.

“On the pitch and off the pitch, we have experienced the beauty of this club and its fans. In turn, I hope I have delivered memories and moments that have brought happiness to the Liverpool supporters.

“Moving to Liverpool, I knew the club’s greatness and history but what I did learn during my time was the unique heart and soul of the place. It has its own personality and character.

“I leave Liverpool because Barcelona is a dream for me. Liverpool was a dream that I was fortunate enough to realise and I have given five years of my life to it.

“A career on the pitch only lasts for so long and to play for Barcelona as well as Liverpool is something I want to experience and enjoy while I am blessed enough to be able to do so.

“I hope the supporters understand that choosing to experience something new is not about diminishing their importance to me or the club’s importance. Nothing will ever diminish that in my heart.

“I wish Jürgen and the team nothing but joy and success for the rest of this season and beyond. This is an amazing team and they are getting better and better all the time.”

“There are too many people I want to thank, but I cannot name everyone individually,” said the 25-year-old.

“To all the amazing club staff who have been part of my life in Liverpool – I will miss you. To the owners, whom have tried so hard to bring success, and to the football recruitment staff for showing faith in me to bring me here and rewarding me during that journey, and to my incredible team-mates, past and present, who have helped me grow and improve as a player and a person, I would like to say thank you to you all.

"Anything I have achieved here would not have been possible without you.”

“And finally, to the most important people of Liverpool – the Liverpool supporters,” he said.

“I can never thank you enough for what you have given me during this time and no matter where I go in the world, for the rest of my life, I will always cherish Liverpool in my heart.

“You, the club and the city will always be a part of me.

“You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

 

[carbon11]

Dissapointed but can't blame coutinho he is a class act and he deserves it to play for a genuine class act like Barca .

I think Liverpool need to make a few moves

Again I'm not sure with Lemar I think Monaco will be awkward and we will end up paying over the top , Liverpool should move more discreet and go for a player like Malcom at Bordeaux work permit won't be an issue and not as expensive .

There's another out and out striker dourado for fluminese who is in good form top scorer in Brazilian Seria a , obviously he would have to be loaned out in Europe for 2 seasons or so he can get enough games at club level to be eligible for work permit , but obviously being 28 and the work permit issue isn't ideal.

Better option is the younger Wellington silva a very good player , don't know if arsenal still have first rights over his clause but he played out on loan at Bolton , could be worth a try .

I m not to keen on English players or overrated English youngsters through the system the FA has really hampered the premier league clubs over work permit issues we can't compete with the European clubs in bringing young talent from outside Europe directly France Belgium Spain Italy Germany Portugal will even make these non Europeans and give them full citizenship , Hence why Liverpool can't bring Allan da Souza to Liverpool and yet garbage like spearing made the Liverpool first team a few seasons back because he is English , And Liverpool have to make do with overrated overpriced English players like Henderson lallana and chamberlain .

 

[Hasan123]

Ter Stegen always has made some howlers over the years for FCB, it's the reason why he never booted out Bravo until he was sold in his final season. Bravo was never a world class keeper, so if Ter Stegen was always that good he should've been number 1 a while ago, while Leno has been top at Leverkusen for the whole time.

Unless PSG sell some players, there is no way they can buy Oblak as they won't be able to get round FFP.

What competition has Leno had at Leverkusen? And furthmore which top team has been in for Leno. A lot of teams were acter Ter Stegan after his 1st season in Germany.

PSG will sell players and they will find a way round FFP. UEFA won't want them out of the champions league lol.

 

[in_cutter]

If the likes of Pogba are worth 89m then Coutinho is worth double that.

Good luck to him.

 

[PakLFC]

Again we are taking forever to find a replacement for him. Will end up waiting until the last day of the window then signing no one. We have the money to sign Lemar yet continue to play hard ball. Just don't understand the way we think. Having sold such an important playersurely we need to sign a replacement at the earliest. Naby Keita who we signed months back is not a replacement for Couts at all.

 

[WC-Passion]

What competition has Leno had at Leverkusen? And furthmore which top team has been in for Leno. A lot of teams were acter Ter Stegan after his 1st season in Germany.

PSG will sell players and they will find a way round FFP. UEFA won't want them out of the champions league lol.

PSG will sell players? I haven't even seen one player from PSG being strongly linked (as in a proper bid made) by any club yet. I'll believe it when I see it.

Lot of top teams from big spending leagues already have top quality keepers, makes sense why nobody has bought Leno yet.

 

[WC-Passion]

If the likes of Pogba are worth 89m then Coutinho is worth double that.

Good luck to him.

Seriously? Pogba has 9 goals in 13 games this season, that's more than what Coutinho got entierly in the PL 16/17 season, and he plays in a much deeper role while Coutinho plays LW and CAM (which is why he has more goals).

 

[Hasan123]

PSG will sell players? I haven't even seen one player from PSG being strongly linked (as in a proper bid made) by any club yet. I'll believe it when I see it.

Lot of top teams from big spending leagues already have top quality keepers, makes sense why nobody has bought Leno yet.

If not now they will sell them at the end of the season. They will get around FFP

 

[WC-Passion]

If not now they will sell them at the end of the season. They will get around FFP

I can see maybe Di Maria and Lucas in the summer. Nothing will happen soon though.

 

[PakLFC]

I trust JK to get it right. Should never pay £90 million for Lemar or £100 million for Mehraz. None of them are even worth half that money. Wait until the summer then see how it goes unless we can find a genuinely good replacement for Couts. So many are being linked.

 

[Abdullah719]

Coutinho scores his first goal for Barca... Suarez with the assist.