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What's the story?
Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona have agreed a whopping £133 million fee for Liverpool attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho according to Spanish media outlet Sport. The Brazilian could be joining the Catalan club when the transfer window opens next month if the report is to be believed.
The former Inter Milan player is said to earn around £10.6 million over the course of five years when he signs his contract with Barcelona.
In case you didn't know...
Coutinho has been a crucial part of the Liverpool squad since his arrival in 2013. The Merseyside club bought their number ten for just £8 million and it proved to be a huge bargain as the 'Little Magician' went on to score 52 goals and assist 45 during his five-year stay at the club.
Barcelona emerged as suitors for Coutinho in the last summer transfer window and made it clear that the 25-year-old was their main transfer target. However, the Blaugrana were not able to get a deal done for the player as Liverpool stood firm on their stance of not selling their star man.
Coutinho has scored 10 goals and assisted 7 for Liverpool this season. The attacking midfielder also scored his first ever professional hat-trick in the club's UEFA Champions League group stage match against Spartak Moscow at Anfield earlier this month.
Heart of the matter
Coutinho, who reportedly even handed a transfer request to force a move to Barcelona, could be finally signing for the Ernesto Valverde-managed side next month. However, the La Liga league table leaders will be only landing their target after paying an astronomical fee of €150 million (£133 million) to Liverpool.
If the report is true this transfer would make Coutinho, Barcelona's most expensive buy overtaking 20-year-old winger Ousmane Dembele.
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Author's take
While it seems obvious that Coutinho will join Barcelona at some point in his career, the January transfer window might be too soon for that to happen. Liverpool are yet to change their mind on not selling the player and the Reds' manager Jurgen Klopp would not want to lose his star man midway through the season.
Next summer transfer window would be the ideal time for the La Liga club to convince Liverpool to sell their number 10.
