Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona: Chief reveals Liverpool demanded £185m on deadline day

BARCELONA director Albert Soler has revealed Liverpool wanted €200million (£185m) for Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool managed to keep hold of the talented Brazilian despite the player handing in a transfer request and asking to join Barca.

Having managed to keep hold of Coutinho on deadline day in England on Thursday, Liverpool could have still cashed in on him the following day with Spanish clubs able to sign players until midnight on Friday.

Liverpool remained adamant Coutinho would not be sold and rejected Barca’s approaches throughout the summer.

However, according to Soler, the Reds were willing to sanction his exit if Barca forked out a staggering £185m.
“After weeks of negotiations, yesterday Liverpool asked us for €200m for the player,” Soler told a news conference on Saturday.




“We will not put the club at risk.

“We have always worked with the mission not to put at risk the heritage and the viability of the club which is owned by the members.
“The fact that PSG came up with €222m [for Neymar] caused everyone to know that the club had money. When you go to the market and clubs know that you have a lot of money, the requests were exorbitant.”

Coutinho is currently on international duty with Brazil but Jurgen Klopp will be expecting him to be available for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester City next Saturday (12.30m).

Source:www.express.co.uk