BARCELONA have once again stepped up their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho by launching a £116m bid, according to reports in Spain.
Coutinho was the subject of three bids from Barcelona in the summer – the last of which added up to £114mil- lion – but all were rejected out of hand by Liverpool, who also turned down a written transfer request from the Brazilian.
However, Spanish paper Sport, who reported this lat- est offer, have claimed that Liverpool are holding out for £142m as they look to keep their creative midfielder.
The publication also suggests that the two teams are closer to reaching an agreement as the valuation between the Champions League clubs is growing smaller.
Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo have backed this view up by claiming that the Reds are receptive the Catalan giants’ offer and are searching for a replacement themselves.
These reports come days after Spanish media claimed that the 25-year-old had played his final game for the Anfield outfit.
Liverpool’s approach last August was forthright, with the club’s owners issuing a statement that he was not for sale at any price.