Naijabarcelonalovers

Barcelona  have launched one final Philippe Coutinho bid according to Sport.  Now they’re simply awaiting a response from  Liverpool  and their owners. However, the report states that the number doesn’t reach Liverpool’s valuation of Coutinho as it: “does not reach 150 million euros including variables”. Since Barcelona are on a clock, it doesn’t makes much sense to keep bidding beneath the price that Liverpool have set. But yet, here we are, with Barcelona reportedly still offering less than Liverpool are willing to sell for once again. Earlier reports  from Sport suggested that Liverpool were waiting on selling Coutinho until they had a deal in place for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar - a deal that will not happen now. As it has been said before,  Lemar is the man who I most certainly believe should be the player Barcelona move for. But it appears that as the deadline grows closer, Barcelona are still hoping the Brazilian magician makes his way to...

According to sport,  on Saturday, a meeting between Philippe Coutinho’s representatives and Liverpool directors took place. Coutinho’s entourage proposed that Liverpool give into the player’s demands. But Liverpool rejected that proposal. But nonetheless, they made a decision that will be beneficial for Barca. They decided to open negotiations for Coutinho. Another report  said that Barcelona will offer around €160 million for Coutinho. But before accepting the offer, Liverpool will attempt to sign Renato Sanches. Once they have the disgruntled youngster tied down, they will accept the offer, paving the way for Barcelona to finalise the deal. The Sanches deal may be in place after he was left out of the Bayern squad travelling to Bremen.

FC Barcelona’s match against Deportivo Alavés saw the Catalan side win by two goals from the best player in their history: Lionel Messi. The Argentine missed a penalty in the match but made up for actions by netting in the winner for the match. Not that goals justify his performance because they never have to. Messi’s game has seen him become one of the best play makers in the world. The days of Xavi and Iniesta dominating the center midfield are over. The seasons since the formers departure and the latter’s decline has seen Messi continually drop from his forward role into the midfield in order to create chances. It is only two games into the season, but Messi has again become Barcelona’s most important player. Now more than ever, however, he is full of responsibility that he cannot share. Suarez, one of the top three strikers in the world, is out injured. Neymar has departed to PSG and his replacement has not arrived. Dembélé will have to wait to make his debut for Barcelon...

Liverpool  should sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona before it’s too late, Garth Crooks argues. The Brazilian is desperately wanted at the Nou Camp but, despite the player handing in a transfer request, the Reds have thus far been adamant he won’t leave Anfield. Barcelona have made three bids for Coutinho, the most recent of which was in the region of £114million. Crooks argues that considering the playmaker was signed for £8.5m, the offer is too good to refuse. In addition, Sadio Mane is emerging as the new talisman at Liverpool and the signing of Mohamed Salah would ease Coutinho’s departure. ‘With Mane looking so impressive at the moment it makes you wonder why Liverpool are deliberating over Coutinho’s proposed move to Barcelona,’ Crooks said to the BBC. ‘It seems to me that Mane is the perfect replacement to take over from the Brazilian as Liverpool’s main man, never mind that £100m-plus is simply too good to turn down for any player, never mind one who only cost yo...

Ousmane Dembele officially begins life as a Barcelona yesterday has  undertakes his medical and is presented to the world and the club’s Twitter account as already gone into overdrive dubbing it #DembeleDay. But they are right to get excited and so should we, as Barcelona fans can now look forward to the skills the tricky winger will add to the front line. At the young age of just 20, Dembélé showcased exactly what he could do in the Bundesliga last year, scoring six goals and creating 63 chances for Borussia Dortmund. Six goals may not sound a lot, but Opta neatly highlight below just how much potential this boy has. But it is not just goals that Dembélé will bring, it is assists too, and that is exactly what is needed, particularly following the departure of Neymar. Replacing the Brazilian is all but impossible but one of the young French star’s main assets last season was his relationship with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In fact, Dembélé provided 10 assists fo...

Liverpool  have reportedly agreed to negotiate with Barcelona over a move for  Philippe Coutinho,   after "very positive" talks between the club's owners Fenway Sports Group and the Brazilian's representatives. According to Joaquin Piera,  Sport , Liverpool will sign a replacement for Coutinho before the close of the transfer window on Thursday, then the 25-year-old will be allowed to depart for Camp Nou in a deal worth approximately €150 million. Per Piera, Liverpool want to sign a replacement before Coutinho leaves in order to avoid paying over-inflated fees for a replacement. Barcelona confirmed  they had signed Ousmane Dembele on Friday for an initial €105 million, plus add-ons. The youngster only signed for Borussia Dortmund last May for  €15 million, per  Stephan Uersfeld  ESPN FC. According to  Kicker  (h/t Metro),  Liverpool are interested in bringing in Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich, with Carlo Ancelotti hap...

Barcelona have admitted it will be difficult to sign Liverpool  playmaker Philippe Coutinho  because the Brazilian's contract doesn't contain a release clause. The Blaugrana have bemoaned the tough conditions in this summer's transfer market as they also try to sign Borussia Dortmund  forward Ousmane Dembele. Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez described the difficulties involved in negotiating both deals, per James Pearce  of the   Liverpool Echo : "Not just Barca but any team looking for top quality players are getting involved in a very difficult situation in this market. "Why? Because the market is where clubs like us want to sign top quality players. There’s no buy-out clauses so that makes things trickier." Fernandez confirmed Barca remain steadfast in their attempts to sign new players. The five-time UEFA Champions League winners are looking to spend the near-£200 million raised by the sale of Brazil international Neymar to mega-r...

The midfielder has called for reinforcements. Sergio Busquet  said what many  Barcelona  fans were thinking following Sunday’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid    in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana. The midfielder admitted Barca need to make new signings now, with the start of La Liga less than a week away. Barca have been heavily linked with moves for Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, yet it is Paulinho who appears closest to signing at the moment. "We don’t need new signings because of the result, but because we have to renew [the squad]. And now’s the time, no matter what," he said via Sport. Gerard Deulofeu    filled in for Neymar against Madrid, but failed to shine, while the club’s only other summer signing, Nelson Semedo, did not feature at all. Busquets also insisted Barca did not play too badly at Camp Nou, but did concede winning the trophy now, is highly unlikely, against a Madrid side in top form. "The r...

Barcelona have officially announced Paulinho’s signing. At 12 : 54 Spanish local time, the club official website announced the signing of Paulinho. Barcelona have set his release clause at €120 million. Paulinho will undergo a medical on Thursday and the the club will unveil him later in the day. But as the club makes the first move after the departure of Neymar, the question arises, was does Barca have a plausible plan of action ? Paulinho is not worth €40 million. Despite being in his prime, no club with a definite transfer plan would pay €40 million for his services. He provides depth to the squad, but at the expense of players like Denis Suarez and Carles Alena. The move for Paulinho clearly shows desperation. Barca had earlier targeted players like Marco Verratti, but failure to land these players led to the signing of Paulinho. The negotiating team at the Camp Nou is inefficient. The team has prolonged transfer talks with Liverpool and Dortmund for Phi...

According to Mundo Deportivo, Philippe Coutinho is closer to the Camp Nou than he has ever been. Apparently, club officials Raül Sanllehí and Robert Fernandez flew to London from New York to submit an offer of €100 million for the Brazilian playmaker. Coutinho’s agent Giuliano Bertolucci is waiting for a response from Liverpool to the offer. Mundo Deportivo have reported that Liverpool will be lured into accepting the offer. Coutinho did not travel with the Liverpool squad to face Athletic Club in Dublin. He remained behind, citing some ‘discomfort’. Also, Jürgen Klopp is looking at Manuel Lanzini to replace Coutinho at Anfield, according to Mundo Deportivo . This also indicates preparation for Coutinho’s departure, on Liverpool’s part.

Barca get serious about Lemar. We start today in France, with news that Barcelona    are set to rival Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar, according to  L'Equipe. The 21-year-old reportedly quite fancies a move to Camp Nou and could be about to disappoint long-term admirers Arsenal. Conte rules out Hazard move No sooner had Neymar left Barca, than Eden Hazard’s name was being mentioned as a possible replacement, but Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been quick to play down the rumors. “We are trying to buy the players, not to sell them. Otherwise the number is always less and we are in trouble,” he said via the independent. Messi wants Dybala at Barcelona Over in Italy, the talk is that Lionel Messi  wants Paulo Dybala at Barcelona, well that’s accordingly to the Corriere   fellow Sport at  least. The Blaugrana are willing to offer Juve €120m for the Argentine or €90m plus Andres Iniesta, but the message fr...

Unsettled Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil alternative to Philippe Coutinho. According to RMC, Liverpool  has rejected a €100 million from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho. This is very indicative of their position on Coutinho. Just after the French radio station released the report, Jurgen Klopp again spoke against the transfer. This means that Barcelona have to look elsewhere for a new playmaker. And Robert Fernandez is looking towards unsettled Gunner Mesut Özil to fill that void in the squad. Özil’s situation at the Emirates is a unique one. The star German midfielder loves his club. But the club officials are reluctant to match Özil’s wage demands. That places him in a contract dispute with the club. Robert is looking to swoop in and gain his signature while Arsenal officials continue to negotiate. According to the Telegraph, Barcelona will make a €59 million offer to prize away the playmaker from Arsenal. Özil’s contract has just a year to ...

Unsettled Arsenal playmaker Mesut Özil alternative to Philippe Coutinho. According to RMC, Liverpool  has rejected a €100 million from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho. This is very indicative of their position on Coutinho. Just after the French radio station released the report, Jurgen Klopp again spoke against the transfer. This means that Barcelona have to look elsewhere for a new playmaker. And Robert Fernandez is looking towards unsettled Gunner Mesut Özil to fill that void in the squad. Özil’s situation at the Emirates is a unique one. The star German midfielder loves his club. But the club officials are reluctant to match Özil’s wage demands. That places him in a contract dispute with the club. Robert is looking to swoop in and gain his signature while Arsenal officials continue to negotiate. According to the Telegraph, Barcelona will make a €59 million offer to prize away the playmaker from Arsenal. Özil’s contract has just a year to ...