FC Barcelona complete £142m transfer of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho

FC Barcelona have completed the signing of Brazil international midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The La Liga giants are understood to have splashed out £142m on the Liverpool star, becoming the world’s second most expensive footballer of all-time, only behind Neymar’s £200m transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

Coutinho, 25, was officially unveiled as Barca’s latest signing earlier today after completing a two-part medical.

He scored 54 goals in 201 appearances in all competitions for Premier League side Liverpool, following his reported £8.5m switch from Inter Milan back in January 2013.

FC Barcelona’s new signing Philippe Coutinho waves on the pitch.

The Reds agreed a deal to sell the Samba star on Saturday, although Coutinho will have to wait for his Barcelona debut, as he has been ruled out for around three weeks with a right thigh injury, which was diagnosed during his medical.

Liverpool are expected to receive £105m up front – a new British record – for Coutinho’s sale, with the rest of the £37m fee coming in realistic add-ons.

He has signed a five-and-half year contract at the Nou Camp, and will have a buyout clause of €400m (£355m).

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