Liverpool have rejected a third bid for Philippe Coutinho.
According to several reports, Barcelona bid €125m (£114m) for the Brazilian midfielder, a fee that would make hi the second most expensive player in history.
Barcelona had two previous bids, worth £72m and £90m, for Coutinho rejected. He has handed in a transfer request and wants to leave Liverpool for the Catalan club.
Liverpool reject new bid for Philippe Coutino.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) August 18, 2017
Barcelona bid £118m, inclusive of huge add-ons. Immediately rejected.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) August 18, 2017
Barcelona are reportedly close to signing Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund, and it is unclear if they will return with a fourth bid for Coutinho. Liverpool appear unwilling to allow the Brazilian leave for any fee, and are adamant that the player won’t leave.
However, the breakdown of Barca’s latest offer may further explain why they are unwilling to sell Coutinho. According to Paul Joyce of The Times, the bid for the 25-year-old was heavily incentive based. Liverpool would have received a guaranteed payment of £82.1m, and £36.5m would have been paid based on the Brazilian’s performance.
One of the add-ons would have been triggered if Coutinho won the Ballon d’Or. Considering he’s arguably not even the best player in the current Liverpool squad, it’s difficult to imagine such a scenario occurring. Another payment related to Barcelona winning the Champions League.
Liverpool are adamant they don’t want to sell Coutinho for any price, but it is easier to understand why they rejected the bid when so much of it was based on how the player performed at the Nou Camp. When Cristiano Ronaldo joined Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009, the Spanish club paid the entire £80m fee upfront.
A closer look at why Barcelona want Philippe Coutinho. pic.twitter.com/j3wr0aLnev
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) August 14, 2017
Coutinho has missed the start of Liverpool’s season with a back injury.
According to The Times report, he has told Jurgen Klopp that he doesn’t want to play for Liverpool again.
