Barcelona’s bid for Philippe Coutinho rises to £142m

Barcelona are proposing a transfer fee worth about £142 million for Philippe Coutinho as they move closer to signing the Brazil forward who has rejected Liverpool’s last-ditch attempts to keep him at Anfield.

The two clubs are now in contact, via the player’s representatives, over what would be the third-biggest transfer in history. Barcelona are willing to pay about £106 million as a base figure with the remaining £36 million no longer linked to unrealistic bonus payments — such as for if he won the Ballon d’Or — as was the case in the summer when they had three bids rejected and Liverpool were not willing to sell.