Barcelona planning to present signings of Paulinho AND Philippe Coutinho on Thursday
Coutinho has been left out of the Liverpool squad for their Champions League play-off trip to German club Hoffenheim tomorrow (7.45pm).
Coutinho handed in a transfer request on Friday after Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group released a statement insisting the Brazilian was not for sale.
Express Sport understands Barcelona are preparing to break the £100million barrier to land Coutinho as a replacement for Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for £200m.
And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo say Barca want to present Coutinho at the Nou Camp on Thursday along with new signing Paulinho.
Barca today announced they had signed Paulinho from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande for £36.3m.
GETTY Barcelona transfer news: Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho could end up at the Nou Camp
Liverpool line up predicted to face Hoffenheim Mon, August 14, 2017 Click to reveal the predicted Liverpool team to face Hoffenheim Play slideshow Action Images via Reuters 1 of 11 GK: Simon Mignolet
The Spanish giants said: “Paulinho will undergo a club medical on Thursday and the signing of the contract and the official presentation of the new FC Barcelona player will also take place on Thursday.”
Barca have made two summer signings already with right-back Nelson Semedo and winger Gerard Deulofeu joining Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Liverpool have already rejected two bids of £72m and £90 for the little magician and the saga could last until the transfer window closes at 11pm on August 31.
Liverpool owners FSG have insisted no amount of money will tempt them to cash in on their star player.
But Jurgen Klopp conceded after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Watford: “As a manager of a football club, I have bosses. They decide, for example, just in general, if we sell a player or we don't sell him. Then I have to accept it.
“If they don't sell him, then I am not involved any more. I'm responsible for all of our players, not just one or two or three, but all of them.
MUNDO DEPORTIVO Barcelona transfer news: Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho are wanted at the Nou Camp