Barcelona sign Brazilian footballer Coutinho in a record deal
Barcelona agrees to sign Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho for $192 million in the third most expensive deal of all time.
Philippe Coutinho's age is highly attractive to Barca, whose three main stars, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties.
Philippe Coutinho finally got his wish on Saturday when Barcelona agreed to sign the Brazilian star from Liverpool for $192 million in the third most expensive deal of all time.
"Barcelona and Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho. The player will sign a contract for the rest of the season and five more years with a release clause of 400 million euros ($481 million)," said a Barcelona statement.
The deal for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder will be the third biggest in football after the 222 million euros ($267 million) Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona for Brazilian star Neymar last year and the 120 million euros ($144 million) that Kylian Mbappe will cost PSG from Monaco once the French player's loan period with the Ligue 1 champions is completed.
Barcelona finally sign Philippe Coutinho. Fantastic player and is going to be phenomenal for Barça. Possibly the worst time to sell for Liverpool, no matter the money they're receiving. Will be a huge miss.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 6, 2018
"It is with great reluctance that we — as a team and club — prepare to say farewell to a good friend, a wonderful person and a fantastic player in Philippe Coutinho," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told the club's official website.
"It is no secret that Philippe has wanted this move to happen since July, when Barcelona first made their interest known.
"Philippe was insistent with me, the owners and even his teammates this was a move he was desperate to make happen."
Disappointed Coutinho has gone, never thought he’d turn into the players he’s become when I first played with him, but he’s been a great @LFC player these last few years. 142 million though! Just need to use the money better than we did when Suarez left!!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 6, 2018
Blow to Liverpool
Rio-born Coutinho arrived at Anfield from Inter Milan for £8.5 million ($11.53 million) in January 2013 and scored 54 goals for the club in all competitions, although he won no silverware during his five-year stay.
Barcelona had tried to sign him in the summer, but his departure is a blow to Liverpool as the playmaker has just returned to top form after an injury-hit start to the season.
He scored six goals in the last seven games of 2017 to put his side firmly in the Champions League places.
Capturing Coutinho allows Barcelona to move on from the bitter experience of losing his Brazil teammate Neymar last summer.
Coutinho's age is highly attractive to Barca, whose three main stars, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta are all in their thirties. Iniesta, at 33, has shown signs of fatigue this season.
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