Paper Talk: Coutinho clause has Barcelona’s pants down over interest in Liverpool stars

Liverpool have a special premium in place with Barcelona that is keeping them from targeting Reds stars, while Man Utd are chasing a veteran Juventus ace, according to Tuesday’s Paper Talk.

 

SPECIAL LIVERPOOL PREMIUM KEEPING BARCA AT BAY

Liverpool made £142million when they sold Philippe Coutinho but that they also hit Barcelona with a massive premium to protect the sale of other stars.

The money the Catalan giants paid the Reds went towards them signing £75million Virgil van Dijk and £67million Alisson, who turned the club into Champions League winners and Premier League winners elect.

But it wasn’t just the money made from the sale of the Brazilian that benefited Liverpool, as reported in the Daily Mirror.

Some shrewd negotiations when selling the playmaker meant Barcelona would not be able to raid Liverpool in the way they have done previously – Javier Mascherano and Luis Suarez are two examples – without paying a huge premium, for the next three seasons.

According to reports from Spain, the premium stands at €100million (£89million) – meaning Barcelona would have to pay this on top of the standard transfer fee.

 

 

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are currently rated as Liverpool’s two most expensive players, with their market values said to be around £135million.

This would mean that Barcelona would, at the very least, have to pay £225million to sign either Mane or Salah with the premium applied.

That premium has so far kept Barcelona at bay, but after 2021 normal rules will apply and Liverpool stars may be back on the radar at the Camp Nou.

 

AND THE REST

Eric Bailly’s future at Manchester United is in doubt after being given the cold shoulder at the weekend (Daily Mirror)

England are monitoring Borussia Dortmund sensation Giovanni Reyna after discovering he is eligible to represent them at international level (Daily Mirror)

Everton are targeting Lille defender Gabriel as they make a centre-half their priority summer signing (Daily Mirror)

Lyon have reportedly slapped an £83m price tag on Moussa Dembele amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea (Daily Mirror)

Roma and Manchester United remain in talks about making 30-year-old English defender Chris Smalling’s season-long loan move to the Italian capital a permanent one (Daily Star)

Arsenal could be forced to sell Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if they fail to agree to terms over a new contract, with the 30-year-old’s present deal expiring in 2021 (Daily Star)

Raheem Sterling is winning his race to be fit for Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid (The Sun)

West Ham’s owners have postponed peace talks with fans until the end of the season (The Sun)

Tottenham say they will reopen the investigation into Antonio Rudiger’s race claims if new info comes to light (The Sun)

Carlo Ancelotti is set to “convince” Everton to go for Hirving Lozano this summer with Napoli looking to dump the flop forward, according to reports (The Sun)

Manchester United are also interested in Juventus’ 32-year-old midfielder Blaise Matuidi, with Arsenal joining the race for the Frenchman (Daily Express)

Middlesbrough have upped the price for defender Dael Fry, 22, to £25m following interest from Burnley (The Sun)

Leicester City are considering offering Christian Fuchs, 33, a new deal as the Austrian defender approaches the end of his contract (Daily Mail)

Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips is in the frame for an England call-up when Gareth Southgate names his next squad (Daily Telegraph)

Leeds could spend up to £45m on transfer deals if they are promoted to the Premier League (Daily Express)

Celtic and Rangers are on course for a summer fight to sign £1.5m rated Gillingham defender Jack Tucker (Scottish Sun)