Liverpool rejected £90m bid for star man but Euro giants will increase offer to £108m in move that could determine Turkey star’s role in team
Liverpool have rejected a £90 million bid from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho according to reports in Italy.
Italian journalist Enzio Bucchioni claims that the La Liga giants will up their offer for £108 million.
Bucchioni reports that Barca also want Juventus star Paulo Dybala.
See More: Could Liverpool be about to swap Philippe Coutinho for Barcelona’s Arda Turan
Writing for Tutto Mercato Web, he said: “With €222m in hand, to be spent, Barcelona are knocking on multiple doors and talking with more players.
“Liverpool are set to miss [lose] Coutinho. The deal with the player is there. The English have said no to €100m (£90m), but the offer will rise soon [to] around €120m (£108m). Still [they] cannot say no.
“But Coutinho cannot be enough, the other great goal is [Paulo] Dybala. No secret, [the] Argentinean has always been liked. Barcelona prepares a bid of €120m (£108m).”
Jurgen Klopp is intent on keeping Coutinho at Anfield over the summer.
If Barcelona do get their way it could cause a domino effect in the transfer market.
Turkey star Arda Turan is currently competing for a first-choice role out wide, replacing Neymar who left for PSG.
As things stand Turan could end up staying this summer and forming a partnership with Messi and Suarez.
The arrivals of Coutinho and Dybala could however, mark the end of Turan’s time at the club which is already uncertain.
Barcelona have put Turan up for sale but he rejected moves to China and Turkey.
The 30-year-old does have another three-years remaining on his contract.