BARCELONA could announce the signing of Philippe Coutinho this week, according to fresh reports from Spain.
Coutinho has been on Barcelona’s radar ever since the summer when three bids were rejected by Liverpool.
But Barcelona are ready to go in again and are confident of signing him this month.
And Don Balon claim the deal could be agreed in a matter of days and the signing made official this week.
The transfer window opened on Monday and Barcelona are expected to make an offer over £100m with some talk it could be as high as £150m.
Coutinho was absent from Liverpool’s New Year’s Day win over Burnley with Jurgen Klopp claiming he was injured.
But Nike have ramped up the transfer talk by advertising Barcelona shirts with Coutinho printed on the back on their website.
And AS have reported that a five-year deal has been agreed between Barcelona and Coutinho since the summer and all that is missing from the deal is Liverpool’s sign off.
Barcelona have been in brilliant form this season and have built up a strong lead in La Liga.
But Ernesto Valverde wants Coutinho signed as soon as possible so he can adapt to the Nou Camp demands and help them push on and improve further.
Barca lead Atletico Madrid by nine points after 17 games and have a 14 point lead over Real Madrid.
Coutinho meanwhile has impressed this season despite failing to get his move in the summer.
The 25-year-old has scored seven times in the Premier League and another five in the Champions League.
Klopp insists he’s staying put despite the huge £75m outlay on defender Virgil van Dijk last week.
Source:www.express.co.uk