After the very, very long wait, Philipe Coutinho is finally a Barcelona player but it took quite some money for Liverpool let go of their main man.
The Brazilian’s move to the Catalan club makes him the second most expensive transfer in world football, as he cost a whopping 160 million euros. In addition, his release clause is set at 400 million euros, figures clubs will not dare go near.
This expensive signing has put Coutinho behind Brazilian buddy Neymar, who left the Camp Nou last summer on a €222m deal to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Coutinho has been eager for a move to Barca since the summer transfer market, and at last, he has reached his desire for playing for the club of his dreams, penning a five-and-a-half-year contract.
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His former coach Jurgen Klopp recently spoke on his transfer, explaining he was more than certain he wanted to play for Barcelona.
"“I can tell the Liverpool supporters that we, as a club, have done everything within our means to convince Philippe that remaining part of LFC was as attractive as moving to Spain, but he is 100 percent certain his future — and that of his family — belongs at Barcelona.“It is his dream, and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind.”"
The attacking midfielder was the star for the English Premier League team, and he will be hoping to shine as much as he did at Anfield and even more alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
With Andres Iniesta reaching his mid-30s, Barcelona have become very cautious on when to use the captain and they are betting on Coutinho to cover for him in games such as Copa del Rey fixtures.
Barca have been incredible so far this season, as they have yet to lose a single game in all three competitions and now with the presence of the talented and skillful Coutinho, and the return of Ousmane Dembele, the Catalans possess a very fierce squad.
The 25-year-old has scored 41 goals and 35 assists since joining Liverpool back in 2013, as Barca fans have high expectations for the new Blaugrana player. Coutinho will fit right at home, as he will reunite with his former teammate Luis Suarez, who left Liverpool in 2014.