Philippe Coutinho believes he has played last Liverpool match with £133million Barcelona offer needed to sign him
Reports are suggesting deal is getting even nearer — with Catalan press confident transfer will happen in winter window
PHILIPPE COUTINHO'S potential move to Barcelona continues to dominate the transfer news.
La Liga clubs are not known for their January splurges — and the current record for a mid-season deal is the £24million Real Madrid paid for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in 2008.
This transfer would blow that out of water and cost over FIVE times the price to become the most expensive mid-season signing in history.
But just how close is to happening?
Well, are reporting that Coutinho believes he has played his last game for Liverpool.
The Reds refused to even entertain Barcelona's interest during the summer, but are now willing to accept a bid of around £133m.
And the softening of their stance has given the Brazilian hope a move could happen this time around.
Meanwhile, the Catalan press are becoming more and more confident the deal will take place.
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insist the transfer is "very, very close".
Barcelona and Liverpool directors are set to meet in early January to thrash out a deal.
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The Nou Camp giants are keen to offload some players to make way for Coutinho — with Arda Turan the No 1 candidate.
claim he will not play in the FA Cup third round Merseyside derby, and have anlaysed how he will fit in to the Barca system.
believe Liverpool are now "open" to beginning negotiations.
The Madrid-based daily reports that another potential solution would be to offer Coutinho a new contract, but are aware he wants to leave the club.