English side, Liverpool and Barcelona have confirmed the transfer of Philippe Coutinho to the Spanish outfit on Saturday.
“Liverpool FC can confirm Philippe Coutinho will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona,” Liverpool said on its official website.
Coutinho is expected to put pen to paper on a five-and-half year deal, with a buyout clause of €400million.
“FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho,” Barcelona said.
The Reds have also granted the midfielder ‘permission to complete the usual formalities to conclude the transfer immediately,’.
Coutinho’s transfer is now expected to go through, subject to him passing a medical and agreeing personal terms with the Catalan side.
Coutinho’s dream of playing for Barcelona is just a matter of when now, following the agreement with Liverpool.
Both clubs have agreed a fee in the region of £142million for the 25-year-old playmaker, according to the BBC.
Coutinho’s imminent move to Spain will see the former Inter Milan star become the second most expensive transfer in football history, behind Neymar’s €222million move to Ligue 1 leaders, Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool were reluctant to sell their star midfielder, and rejected Barcelona’s three offers for the playmaker, who also handed in a transfer request last summer.
However, the Catalan are now poised to get their man, described by the club as ‘one of the most talented midfielders in the world with the potential to get even better.’
