Coutinho moves to Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AP):

Philippe Coutinho is joining Barcelona after Liverpool agreed yesterday to sell the Brazilian in a deal that makes him one of the most expensive players in football history.

Barcelona did not reveal the cost of the deal for the 25-year-old playmaker, but a person familiar with the details told The Associated Press that the transfer is worth €160 million (US$192 million).

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly about the deal, which would be a club record for Barcelona.

Coutinho's transfer cost is only surpassed by Paris Saint-Germain's acquisition of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe last summer. Barcelona have now reinvested the €222 million windfall it received from PSG following Neymar's world-record transfer to the French club in August.

Barcelona said Coutinho would sign a contract for the rest of the ongoing season and five more seasons. He still needs to finalise personal terms and pass a medical examination.

Liverpool rejected three bids from Barcelona for Coutinho in August and hoped to convince him to stay beyond this season. He even captained the side in recent games.