Coutinho transfer news 2018

A big transfer saga!

In 2018, Philippe Coutinho was heavily linked with a move away from Liverpool, with Barcelona being the primary suitor. Here's a summary of the transfer news surrounding Coutinho in 2018:

January 2018:

• Coutinho submits a transfer request to Liverpool, citing a desire to leave the club and join Barcelona.
• Liverpool rejects the request, stating that they will not sell the player in the January transfer window.
• Barcelona makes a bid of £72 million (€81 million) for Coutinho, which is rejected by Liverpool.

February 2018:

• Coutinho's agent, Andreas Borga, confirms that the player is still keen to leave Liverpool and join Barcelona.
• Liverpool's manager, Jürgen Klopp, says that Coutinho is not for sale and that the club will not be bullied into selling him.

March 2018:

• Barcelona makes a second bid of £90 million (€102 million) for Coutinho, which is again rejected by Liverpool.
• Coutinho's future at Liverpool becomes increasingly uncertain, with the player's agent hinting that a move to Barcelona could happen in the summer.

May 2018:

• Coutinho's contract with Liverpool expires in 2022, but the player's agent confirms that he will not sign a new deal with the club.
• Barcelona makes a third bid of £100 million (€114 million) for Coutinho, which is finally accepted by Liverpool.

January 2019:

• Coutinho completes a move to Barcelona in a deal worth £105 million (€120 million), signing a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

In summary, Coutinho's transfer saga in 2018 was a long and drawn-out process, with the player ultimately leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in January 2019.