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FC Barcelona transfer rumour update – Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele

By Chiranjib Ghosh

ALTACH, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 05: Ousmane Dembele of Dortmund in action during the friendly match between AFC Sunderland v Borussia Dortmund at Cashpoint Arena on August 5, 2016 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images)
ALTACH, AUSTRIA - AUGUST 05: Ousmane Dembele of Dortmund in action during the friendly match between AFC Sunderland v Borussia Dortmund at Cashpoint Arena on August 5, 2016 in Altach, Austria. (Photo by Deniz Calagan/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool release statement ending Philippe Coutinho speculation

WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Liverpool at DW Stadium on July 14, 2017 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Barcelona will not be signing Philippe Coutinho. He was one of the primary targets to replace Neymar. The club had the funds as well as the motive to sign the Brazilian. But Liverpool released a statement denouncing claims that Coutinho was on his way out.

Liverpool’s official website released the statement but the words are of Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool FC’s owner.

"The statement read : “The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.”"

This ends all chances of Barca acquiring him. Although the club can temporarily use Gerard Deulofeu on the left wing, if Ernesto Valverde wants a replacement, Barcelona has until 31st August to sign one.

Barcelona set to increase Ousmane Dembele offer

More from Everything Barca

Now that the Philippe Coutinho transfer is no longer plausible, Barca officials are giving Ousmane Dembele priority status. Initially, the club was going slow on him but efforts have been ramped up.

German publication Bild is backing up L’Equipe’s claim that the two parties have agreed on personal terms. Also, Sport has claimed that the club has significantly increased the initial offer made to Dortmund.

Barca first offered a fee of €70 million to Dortmund for Dembele’s signature. But it was rejected. Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc even came up with a statement to respond to the offer.

The official statement

Also, the club’s official website released a statement in response to the speculation,

"It read : “Borussia Dortmund has held talks with FC Barcelona regarding the possible transfer of the BVB player Ousmane Dembele to FC Barcelona.During this meeting, the representatives of FC Barcelona submitted a bid which did not correspond to the the player’s extraordinary footballing and other abilities nor to the present economic market situation of the European transfer market. BVB therefore rejected this offer.As there is no other offer from FC Barcelona to date, there is currently no transfer of the player to FC Barcelona and this is not currently likely.”"

Zorc still maintains that Ousmane Dembele is staying at the Signal Iduna Park. But Robert Fernandez has other plans for the young Frenchman.

Next: Player Profile : Sergio Busquets

The report claimed that the revised offer has a fee of €90 million along with €40 million in variables, taking the total amount to €130 million. That is a huge amount of money but Barcelona have to dish it out to get Dembele.

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