Barcelona hint transfer of Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho could be close

Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez has hinted that the transfer of Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho could be close after discussing his plans to follow up the Ousmane Dembele signing.

The Brazil international has been a top target for the Catalan giants for much of the summer, with the club stepping up their interest since the shock departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

With Barca in need of a long-term replacement for key playmaker Andres Iniesta, Coutinho has emerged as a top target alongside PSG midfielder Angel Di Maria.

Fernandez says he is hopeful of completing two more signings before the transfer deadline and has revealed talks are ongoing over one of their top targets.

When asked about Coutinho and Di Maria, he did not deny his interest in bringing the pair to the Nou Camp.

‘It is true that we are negotiating with a player and we have only a few days left,’ he is quoted in Mundo Deportivo.

‘We hope to reach a good deal, reach an agreement and be able to present a new player.

‘We have been working for many days, there may be one player or there may be two.

‘My intention is to get another player and if possible, two.’

Coutinho is expected to cost over £100million if he does move, and recent reports claimed he requested to be left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad in a bid to force his move to Barcelona.

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