Barcelona will sign Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool on a five-and-a-half year contract, the two clubs said on Saturday, 6 January.
British media reported that the Spanish club will pay about 142 million pounds ($193 million) for Coutinho, making it the third most expensive transfer in football history.
"Barcelona and Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho," the La Liga leaders said in a statement.
"The player will sign a contract for the rest of the season and five more and will have a release clause of 400 million euros.”
Liverpool confirmed the deal.
Liverpool FC can confirm Philippe Coutinho will be leaving the club after a transfer agreement was reached with FC Barcelona, subject to medical and agreement of personal terms. The player now has permission to complete the usual formalities to conclude the transfer immediately.Liverpool statement
Paris St Germain paid Barcelona 222 million euros for Brazilian forward Neymar in August and the French club will pay Monaco 180 million euros to sign Kylian Mbappe when he completes a loan spell this season.
Coutinho's fee will eclipse both the 105 million euros Barca paid Borussia Dortmund for France forward Ousmane Dembele in August and the 75 million pounds ($102 million) Liverpool received from Barcelona for Luis Suarez in 2014.
Coutinho will be unable to play for Barca in the Champions League this season after taking part in the competition for Liverpool but he will boost their bid for a 25th La Liga title.
Coutinho hit 20 goals in his last 41 league games for Liverpool so he should take some of the responsibility for scoring from Messi, while his expertise in long range strikes could also could prove useful when teams sit back against Barca.
The Brazilian enjoyed a strong relationship on and off the pitch with Luis Suarez at Liverpool and his arrival should propel the Uruguayan, who has struggled at times this season without the space Neymar's flair used to free up for him.
Coutinho's arrival may have a negative impact on captain Iniesta, who at 33 is in the final stages of his career at the elite level and is often the first player to be substituted by Valverde.
The Spain international, however, said last month he would welcome the Brazilian to the Nou Camp with open arms.
"I think he's a player who combines very well with others, he has a lot of talent, he is both footed, he scores goals and can drift between midfield and attack," he told Mundo Deportivo.
"He's a player that has a similar profile to Barca and would be a great signing if he comes here in the end. I don't view him as competition for my place, I see him as a leap forward for the club."
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