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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Theo Hernandez and Philippe Coutinho

By Chiranjib Ghosh

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 23, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 23: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 23, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona inch closer to beginning negotiations for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Philippe Coutinho (R) of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal from a free kick during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 23, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Philippe Coutinho (R) of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal from a free kick during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 23, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Barcelona will be very active in the summer transfer window. Robert Fernandez will start anew after an almost disastrous season for the club. The underperformers have been the root cause of that, and that list includes stars like Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic. While they will at the club in the near future, they will not feature in the first-team as often as they did.

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The squad desperately needs a replacement for Andres Iniesta. While it might be Denis Suarez, he hasn’t shown why it is so this season. Andre Gomes has done much better in Rakitic’s role than Iniesta’s. The target for Robert Fernandez, is and has been Philippe Coutinho.

Neymar’s best buddy has been a target of Robert’s for a long time. But the deal is finally getting somewhere.

The deal

Coutinho’s agent Giuliano Bertolucci is on very good terms with the Barcelona board. He has visited the club on several occasions to negotiate a deal for Marquinhos, which was vetoed by Paris -Saint Germain.

Robert Fernandez has had negotiations with his associates in Brazil and Coutinho himself has been involved in the talks. The latest meeting took place in Barcelona. In the meeting, Bertolucci met club officials and talked about the minimum requirements for the deal to go through.

The money factor will have a big impact on the deal. Jurgen Klopp has already shown his intent about keeping Coutinho. This had a pretty adverse effect on negotiations, but Barcelona replied by using Neymar as an advocate for the transfer.

Related Story: Neymar sparks Coutinho rumours

Nonetheless, Barca will have to dish out at least €75 million to land him. This is too much for the club to manage, especially considering the right-back situation. Barcelona-based publication Sport believe that Robert can initiate a FIFA-type deal for his signature. In this type of deal, cash is involved along with the departure of another player.

Barcelona finalise details of Theo Hernandez deal

EIBAR, SPAIN – DECEMBER 11: Theo Hernandez of Deportivo Alaves reacts during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and Deportivo Alaves at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
EIBAR, SPAIN – DECEMBER 11: Theo Hernandez of Deportivo Alaves reacts during the La Liga match between SD Eibar and Deportivo Alaves at Ipurua Municipal Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Eibar, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

The situation regarding Jordi Alba is a sensitive one. Alba will certainly remain at the club next season but his involvement in the first-team will be reduced. This has been solidified by the fact that Barca are close to sealing a deal for Atletico full-back Theo Hernandez.

Barcelona are close to sneaking away Theo Hernandez from Florentino Perez, like they did Andre Gomes. Robert Fernandez knows Theo personally and that has Theo leaning towards Barca. Robert is convinced by Theo because of his consistently good performances for Alaves this season.

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The deal is going to be worth €24 million, which is his release clause. The two clubs are on good terms, with Arda Turan having moved clubs from Atletico to Barca earlier. Although Barca will be looking to negotiate, Atletico will stay at the release clause in his contract.

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