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Liverpool news: Barcelona give up on Philippe Coutinho for two huge reasons
BARCELONA have reportedly given up on signing Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho for two reasons.
Coutinho assists in last minute goal for Liverpool
Barcelona are expected to bid big for Liverpool star Coutinho next month.
The Catalan giants spent the summer pursuing the Brazilian but, after being rebuffed on three separate occasions, ultimately focused on signing Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund.
Despite that decision, however, talk remains they are still hellbent on signing the 25-year-old.
However, Spanish publication Diario Gol say Barcelona have now abandoned their pursuit for two big reasons.
It is said the club feel Liverpool have priced them out of any potential deal.
The Reds wanted a huge £166million to let the player go back in the summer, as they were fully aware Barcelona’s wallet was bulging from the sale of Neymar to PSG.
Liverpool news: Barcelona deem Philippe Coutinho too expensive
Recent reports have claimed Liverpool now want just over £120m to let Coutinho go - a figure Barca are currently unwilling to pay.
And Diario Gol say Barcelona have also abandoned their pursuit because the player will be cup-tied for the Champions League.
Coutinho starred as Liverpool battled their way out of the group stages and into the last 16.
And that means he will be unable to play for the rest of Barcelona’s European campaign.
The Catalan giants have been handed a tasty draw against Chelsea when the tournament resumes in February.
Liverpool news: Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has given up on Philippe Coutinho
And pundit Steve Nicol thinks the Blues should not fear their La Liga counterparts.
“You take Ter Stegen and Messi out of Barcelona right now - they are an average team,” Nicol told ESPN.
“They are not playing well at all.
“Going forward since Neymar left, the amount of chances they make, I don’t know the stats, but it seems to be half of what it used to be.
“Chelsea have an opportunity in this game no question. Messi and Ter Stegen, but the rest are struggling big time.”
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