Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rejects world-record £89.5million second bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has rejected a world-record £89.5million second bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian star, 25, looks set to join the La Liga giants this summer - as Barca line-up a replacement for the potentially outgoing Neymar.
The Reds recently rejected a £72m bid from Barcelona, but now the Spaniards have upped the ante in their chase.
Coutinho is being pursued by the Catalan giants as they prepare for life without star forward Neymar - who is a £195m target for Paris Saint-Germain.
In return, Klopp has begun hunting for a potential Coutinho replacement of his own, with Monaco man Thomas Lemar and Bayern Munich's Renato Sanches two options.
However, there are now conflicting reports coming out of Europe, with a journalist at France's RMC Sport suggesting Barca had submitting a whopping new offer.
Meanwhile, reports in Spain are claiming Barcelona have now turned their attention from Coutinho to Atletico Madrid man Antoine Griezmann.
The French forward admitted he felt obliged to stay with Rojiblancos after their ban was upheld, amid interest from Manchester United.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Who is Philippe Coutinho?
- Born on June 12, 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Joined Vasco de Gama aged seven but was signed by inter for €4m at just 16-years-old
- He stayed in Brazil for two years, making his debut as a teenager and helping the team to promotion in his second season
- Made his Inter debut in 2010 but struggled to break into the first team - loaned to Espanyol in January 2012, impressing with five goals in 16 matches
- After failing to establish himself in Italy, was sold to Liverpool for just £8.5m in January 2013
- Has since become one of Liverpool's best players, winning Fans player of the year twice and being named in the Premier League team of the year in 2015
- Made his Brazil debut in 2010 but became an established regular in 2015
But, should Griezmann's buy-out clauses be met, the decision would be out of the club’s hands.
From the Barcelona's perspective, the Frenchman would be the perfect signing as he has shown he can handle the pace of La Liga.
The news will come as a massive boost to Klopp and Liverpool, who at times have looked certain to lose their "Little Magician".
Coutinho joined Liverpool in January 2013 for just £8.5m and has gone on to play 138 times in the Premier League, scoring 34 times - including 13 goals last season alone.
