BARCELONA TRANSFER NEWS LIVE UPDATES: Latest on Angel Di Maria, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and more…
Tuesday August 29
Coutinho reveals plans to friends
09:00: Philippe Coutinho has told his fiends that he expects to complete a move to Barcelona before Thursday’s deadline.
The club remain adamant Coutinho will stay for the foreseeable future after dismissing three bids from the Catalan giants.
But Coutinho thinks differently.
Spanish publication Sport claim Coutinho is confident of Barcelona striking a fee with Liverpool while he’s away on international duty, and that he doesn’t expect to return to Merseyside.
Liverpool will NOT sell Coutinho
08:00: Liverpool will NOT sell Philippe Coutinho under any circumstances, reports claim.
The Catalan giants continue to be linked heavily with the Liverpool playmaker despite having three bids for the Brazilian rejected, the most recent reportedly worth up to £118million.
Reports from Spain suggest Liverpool’s stance has softened in recent days, and that they are now willing to negotiate.
But The Telegraph say Reds chiefs will stand firm and snub any approaches for Coutinho, even if a fourth mega-money deal is submitted.
Reds not scared of Coutinho loss
07:50: Former Arsenal star Alan Smith believes Liverpool fans won’t make a huge fuss if Philippe Coutinho leaves to join Barcelona.
Barcelona are expected to make a fourth and final bid to sign the Brazil international in the coming days.
But, following Liverpool’s 4-0 drubbing of Arsenal at the weekend, Smith believes they can afford to let Coutinho leave.
“I don’t think, on the back of the Arsenal win, there will be too many fans in uproar about it,” Smith told Sky Sports.
Barca eye nine-deal frenzy
07:45: Barcelona could complete nine transfer deals before the window shuts, according to reports.
Spanish newspaper Marca claim Barca are poised to do some dramatic late deals as they look to salvage a summer of disaster.
Philippe Coutinho and Angel Di Maria are considered their top priority signings, while many more could be sold in an extensive overhaul.
One of those is Andre Gomes, the 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder who is wanted by Juventus on loan.
Rafinha could too follow him out the exit door but the Brazil international has an injury which complicates a move away.
Boss Ernesto Valverde is also pushing to sell Arda Turan and Douglas, who are both not in his plans.
Munir El Haddadi, Thomas Vermaelen and Marlon Santos are also deemed surplus to requirements and could leave before the window slams shut on Thursday night.