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| PLAYERS middle of the new Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho with Naib President, Jordi Mestre (left) jersi drama bears the name Coutinho in Barcelona, today. - Reuters photos |
BARCELONA: Barcelona signed Philippe Coutinho because they were given a special price discount rather than the original price Liverpool put on the transfer window, said Naib President Jordi Mestre, today.
Coutinho emerged the most expensive third player in football history to sign a five-and-a-half-year deal with Barca today with a $ 192 million (RM768.86 million) budget agreement between clubs.
Barcelona director Albert Soler said in September the club forgot about getting the Brazilian designer last year because Liverpool asked for 200 million euros (RM959.26 million).
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| PLAYER of Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho during a familiar session at Stadium Nou Camp, today. - Reuters photos |
"The club is keen to sign Coutinho, the difference last summer and when this is a big discount," Mestre told reporters when the official council introduced Coutinho as a Barcelona player.
"We will not tell the amount because Liverpool did not want us to do it but there are big discounts.
According to Coutinho he also targeted the trophy in Barcelona. "It is a great tribute to me to be here and also to be a dream come true," he said during a drawing session at Camp Nou along with the troops.
"I want the trophy and have fun here, that's what I think," he said. - Reuters
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| PHILIPPE Coutinho is a skill artist at the Nou Camp Stadium, today. - Reuters photos |