Philippe Coutinho is set to agree a stunning five-year deal with Barcelona worth an astonishing £127million in January, according to reports.
The tricky Brazilian was at his brilliant best last night netting a Champions League hat-trick in the 7-0 thumping of sorry Spartak.
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Coutinho handed in a transfer request last summer but Kop boss Jurgen Klopp refused to sell.
Today, Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claim it is “now or never” for Barcelona in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.
The La Liga leaders have made Coutinho their priority signing for the new year – and local press claim he has already agreed personal terms with the club.
Coutinho is under contract at Anfield until 2022 but his desire to seal a move to a side with a proven track record in Europe is well known.
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Mundo Deportivo claim Coutinho’s agreement with Barcelona – made in the summer – remains valid.
They say the player is convinced he will join the club and his agent is of the same mind.
Barcelona could look to finally seal his signature in January.
They are intent on doing so because they fear Coutinho’s stock could rise rapidly with a strong showing in next year’s World Cup.
Coutinho has a “pact” with Barca, but Real Madrid and big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested.
He did not play his first game for Liverpool until September of this season but has scored four goals in his past two games.
And he has done little to dampen speculation he will be off.
Coutinho said: “I do not know how the future is going to be. What will happen in January, we will know it in January.
“I do not know if there will be an offer. I am at Liverpool and I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters.
“Last summer there was a job offer in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it.
“Since I have stayed, I have played with will and desire.”