Barcelona ready cash plus player offer for Coutinho

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Bengaluru, August 8: Barcelona are ready to use Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes as a makeweight in a deal to convince Liverpool to sell their star Philippe Coutinho.

The Spanish side are desperately trying to push through a move for the Brazilian after losing his compatriot, Neymar, to Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record transfer. However, Liverpool have held firm despite big-money approach from the Catalan giants.

Coutinho is Barca's top target to replace his best friend and compatriot Neymar, but so far Liverpool have played hardball with Barcelona.

The Reds reportedly have no plans to sell their star playmaker and have already rejected a £70 million offer.

But, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are not giving up and they are ready to use Gomes as part of the deal.

The midfielder only moved to the Camp Nou from Valencia last summer, but has massively failed to do justice to his name at Camp Nou.

Liverpool, though, are said to be admirers of the Portugal international and Barca hope his inclusion in a move for Coutinho could help to get the deal over the line.

The Portugal international has spent just 12 months at the Nou Camp after leaving Valencia in a deal worth about £40 million.

Last season, he made 44 appearances in all competitions, as well as helping Barcelona win the Copa Del Rey.

Gomes has been tipped to leave the La Liga giants this summer as Ernesto Valverde looks to freshen up the squad he inherited from Luis Enrique. And the bookies seem to think Liverpool could be Gomes' destination if he does move on to pastures new.

The odds of Gomes joining Liverpool is 2/1 now but Liverpool are refusing to business with Coutinho and the Brazilian is absolutely crucial to them in their most important season in the last few years.