Transfer News: Barcelona given green light in Philippe Coutinho pursuit by Liverpool

Barcelona have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, with Liverpool ready to listen to offers for the player.

According to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona have inched one step closer to finally land Philippe Coutinho this summer. The Catalan club have been given the green light by Liverpool to make their offer for the Brazilian playmaker, and a €100 million deal is on the cards.

Coutinho’s career has been on a consistently upward trajectory ever since he joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013. The Brazilian enjoyed the most fruitful campaign of his senior career this past season, despite being sidelined for two months, with a return of 13 goals and 7 assists in 31 Premier League games.

However, having finally become the leader of the Reds’ attack, Coutinho could now be set to call time on his spell at Anfield, with Barcelona keen on signing him. The Blaugrana have been eyeing the player for a long time now, and are set to launch the offensive for him with Ernesto Valverde desperate to land a playmaker this summer.

The void left by the departure of Xavi two years ago has been felt dearly by Barcelona over the last couple of seasons. Furthermore, with Andres Iniesta approaching the end of his glittering career, things could take a turn for the worse.

With the likes of Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes struggling to adapt to the challenges at Camp Nou following their arrival last summer, and Ivan Rakitic also experiencing a dip in form in the 2016/17 season, the need to sign a playmaker has been accentuated.

Things haven’t gone to plan for Barcelona in the current transfer window thus far. But, it now looks like they have received a timely boost with only a few weeks remaining before the window slams shut. Liverpool have given the Catalans the “all clear” in their pursuit of Coutinho.

The Blaugrana are set to table a €100 million bid for the player, an offer that is likely to be accepted by the Merseyside club. Barcelona have already reached an agreement with the Brazilian midfielder, who is eager to make his way to Camp Nou.

And although Jurgen Klopp is unwilling to let his star player leave Anfield this summer, Liverpool owner John Henry’s notorious money-minded nature could be set to come to the fore once again. It now remains to be seen if Barcelona indeed complete the signing of Coutinho, or if Klopp managers to persuade him to stay.