Dion Dublin: Coutinho 'shouldn't be allowed to play for liverpool'
The Spanish giants have already failed with bids of £72 million and £90 million for the Brazilian who submitted a transfer request on Friday.
And despite Liverpool saying that Coutinho, 25, isn't for sale they aren’t taking no for an answer and will increase their bid in the next couple of days.
Liverpool are understood to rate Coutinho nearer to £145 million which is likely to price out even Barca’s budget.
The saga could last until the transfer window closes at the end of the month with Barca seeking to sign a replace for the departed Neymar.
Neymar left the Catalan giants in a whopping £200 million deal for Paris Saint-Germain which left Barca stunned.
DX
Philippe Coutinho is Barcelona's top target to replace Neymar
The Reds issued a statement on the Brazilian's future shortly before he handed in a transfer request via email.
FSG’s statement read: “We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
“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.”
GETTY
Philippe Coutinho has handed in a transfer request as he tries to force a move to Barcelona
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Meanwhile Leicester playmaker Riyad Mahrez has set his sights on a move to the Nou Camp as Roma step up their efforts to sign him.
The Italians are preparing to increase their £32 million offer for the Algerian international who asked for a transfer earlier this summer.
But it is understood that Barca who have scouted Mahrez in the past currently have no plans to enter the bidding to sign him.