Liverpool Transfer News: Barcelona chief to hold Philippe Coutinho

BARCELONA President Josep Maria Bartomeu is planning to speak to his Liverpool counterparts over a deal for Philippe Coutinho when they meet for the Champions League draw in Monaco today. 

Barcelona are desperate to sign Coutinho but Liverpool have refused to do business.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

They ignored a £118million bid for the Brazilian as manager Jurgen Klopp requested the whole club focus on beating Hoffenheim to secure Champions League qualification yesterday.



Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 6-3 on aggregate to book their place in today’s 5pm group stage draw.
Delegates from all 24 Champions League clubs will descend on the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and Bartomeu hopes he will be able to speak to officials from Liverpool as Barcelona wait to discover their opponents. 

 

 

That is according to Barcelona-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo, who claim Bartomeu will also seek out Borussia Dortmund’s chiefs to discuss a deal for Ousmane Dembele.


While Coutinho has handed in a transfer request at Liverpool, Dembele has gone on strike in an effort to force through a move to the Nou Camp.


Barca have £200m to spend following the forced departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.


 Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu

Mundo Deportivo claim Barca director of football Raul Sanllehi will accompany Bartomeu on the trip to the principality - and the duo’s main aim is to progress on both transfer deals.


Barcelona are seeded in Pot 2 for the Champions League group stage alongside Borussia Dortmund, while Liverpool are in Pot 3.