Barcelona will aim to sign Philippe Coutinho in their effort to keep Neymar.
Liverpool rejected a £72 million approach for the playmaker last week from the Catalan giants as they battle to retain his fellow Brazil international this summer.
But reports in Spain suggest that Barca’s pursuit of Coutinho is far from over as Neymar remains embroiled in a transfer tug-of-war with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Ligue 1 side are preparing to activate the £199m release clause in his Nou Camp contract as they look to make a genuine statement of intent in the market.
Neymar’s team mate Gerard Pique hinted that the 25-year-old had reaffirmed his commitment to the club with an Instagram post captioned ‘He stays’.
Jurgen Klopp publicly maintained Liverpool’s stance that Coutinho is not for sale at any price but Mundo Deportivo claim that Barcelona remain undeterred.
Both Coutinho and ex-Tottenham midfielder Paulinho, currently with Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, have been identified as key to Neymar’s future.
The Liverpool talisman’s link with his compatriot dates back to their childhood and is said to be of great importance in the battle to keep him in La Liga.
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