Barcelona transfer news: Coutinho won't "regret" move, First signing imminent and more - 28th December 2017

Paulinho opens up on his conversations with Coutinho

The Liverpool no.10 has been Barcelona's no.1 priority since the summer and the Blaugrana continue to push for the player despite the Reds' owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) rejecting three bids in the summer. However, the Brazilian could finally get his wish in the coming year with the player as well as Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, remaining non-committal about the former's future.

While the saga rumbles on, Coutinho has been in brilliant form this season and has already scored seven goals along with five assists to highlight his quality. Now, his international team-mate and Barcelona's summer signing, Paulinho has revealed his conversations with the 25-year old to Mundo Deportivo and he said:

“I would advise him to be calm, to leave any anxiety aside. I also went through that when I was in China. You have to think about the decision you are going to make. I think that if he has the opportunity to come, he won't regret it. Now I just have to encourage it to happen.”

“I joke that people are already looking for a house for him. I try to give him the basic information, what is most important for him and his family, because maybe the time he spent here (while on loan at Espanyol) was not enough to know the city, but he knows that Barcelona is a very good city that offers everything for him and his family."

“Coutinho knows that there are great players, like Luis Suarez, who he met at Liverpool and he gets along with very well, he is a person who always tries to help. Now we have to wait until the transfer can be made in January for him to come here.”

Now, it remains to be seen whether Barcelona can complete the deal in January or will have to wait until the summer.

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Barcelona set to complete the signing of Yerry Mina

Yeray has been impressive for Palmeiras and may join Barca sooner than expected

The Blaugrana are currently short-staffed in the centre-back department with the impending departure of Javier Mascherano next month. Further, Thomas Vermaelen has failed to make a decisive impact at Camp Nou and Gerard Pique is not getting any younger. This leaves Samuel Umtiti as the only centre-back for the next few years and Ernesto Valverde is reportedly targetting a defensive signing to partner the Frenchman.

While it is understandably difficult to sign a top defender in January, Barcelona definitely needs defensive depth. Thus, the club has decided to bring forward the signing of Palmeiras defender, Yerry Mina, as per Sport. Initially, a deal was agreed with the Brazilian club to sign the Colombian in the upcoming summer but Mascherano's exit has reportedly sped up the deal.

Now, the 23-year old will join Valverde's side for a fee of around €10 million and is set to become the first January signing for the Catalan club.

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Arthur set to join in January?

The Camp Nou beckons for the talented Brazilian youngster

The Gremio midfielder helped the Brazilian club win the Copa Libertadores a few weeks back and was seen in a Barcelona jersey along with the Blaugrana's representative in South America, Andre Cury. This angered Gremio and the Spanish club subsequently apologized for the same.

Now, several clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in the 21-year old. This has led to Barcelona looking to speed up the deal and sign the player in January, as per Diario Sport. Arthur has a €50 million release clause and the Brazilian club are adamant that any interested suitor will have to pay the full amount.

The Brazilian is touted as one of the best young talents and Barcelona are expected to cough up the amount before any of the aforementioned clubs snap the player up. In such a scenario, Arthur could become a Barcelona player this January itself.