BARCELONA are said to be preparing a mammoth bid in a final attempt to bring in Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho.
The Times suggest that Ernesto Valverde is readying a £137m ($225m) bid for the Brazilian, as they look to save face with fans after the departure of Neymar.
In line with the report, Barca are growing increasingly confident that they’ll be able to land the Liverpool star, who has his heart set on a move away from the club.
The Catalan giants are desperate to bring in reinforcements, with Valverde forced to start Gerard Deulofeu in their Spanish Super Cup clash with Real Madrid.
While Neymar scored and assisted in a 3-0 win over Guingamp, football fans ridiculed Deulofeu’s inclusion.
Barcelona going from Neymar to Deulofeu like pic.twitter.com/2qmpa4JkGb — Alex Footman (@Alex_Footman) August 13, 2017
So it's Deulofeu who gets nod to take Neymar's place up top. Which is pretty mad considering he was not even making Everton bench 9 mths ago — Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) August 13, 2017
Speaking to the media after Barcelona’s defeat, midfielder Sergio Busquets insisted that new signings are required for the season ahead: “We don’t need new signings because of the result, but because we have to renew [the squad]. And now’s the time, no matter what.”
Valverde was more composed on the issue, seeing no rush to go out and buy: “We are Barcelona and we want to have the best team.
“We have time [to sign] until August 31, but I want to evaluate what we already have inside the club.”
Meanwhile, Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed Paulinho’s move to Barcelona.
The midfielder joined the Chinese Super League from Tottenham, and has found his way back to European football after impressing for club and country.
“Paulinho is a player with high individual quality, he is an outstanding player, both for his club and for the national team.
“The high price paid by Barcelona in order to sign him is a strong recognition of Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club.
“We wish him all the best and that he can embrace a bright future.”
The 29-year old’s €40m ($60m) release clause was met by the club, and Scolari believes the deal reflects well on the CSL.
Scolari added: “Losing Paulinho is a loss for Evergrande, but it is a good thing for Chinese football.
“It proves that the world’s leading clubs are paying attention to the Chinese Super League. “
media_camera Paulinho.
And finally, Ousmane Dembele looks to be edging closer to a move away from Borussia Dortmund, as tensions continue to rise at the German club.
The 20-year old was suspended for missing training and was initially set to miss Saturday’s German Cup game against FC Rielasingen-Arlen, but the club have extended it “until further notice”.
Sporting director Michael Zorc explained the situation: “Our focus is now concentrated on preparing the team for the Bundesliga opening game this coming weekend in Wolfsburg.”
“Dembele obviously has the possibility to train individually away from the group.”
The forward is said to be intent on a move to Barcelona, with Dortmund turning down a reported €105m offer for his services.
Originally published as Final Coutinho play, ex-Toffee replacing Neymar