LaLiga: Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona

LaLiga: Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona
Liverpool star midfielder Philippe Coutinho has finally completed the move that he was dreaming about last summer, he joined LaLiga leaders Barcelona for 142 million pounds. The Brazilian midfielder signed a five-and-half year deal at the Nou Camp and will have a buyout clause of 355 million pounds. Liverpool made quite a profit on this player as they bought him from Inter Milan in 2013 for just 8.5 million pounds. However, the Reds rejected three offers from Barcelona last summer and also turned down the player's transfer request. Coutinho took part in a photo session at Nou Camp on Sunday after Barcelona's 3-0 LaLiga victory over Levante. The player published a video message on Twitter: "Hi Barca fans, I am already here, it is a dream come true!". Later on he took part in an interview for the club's television channel and said: "It is incredible to know that I am going to live with idols, players with a lot of history. Footballers like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets. I am very happy to be able to live together, to be able to learn from them and be able to win together." Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde didn't want to make a clear statement regarding the place Coutinho would have in his team, as most people had speculated that he would play alongside Messi and Suarez in attack or as a replacement for the ageing Iniesta in midfield. "We can take advantage of his versatility," Valverde said. "He scores and sets up goals, and going forward he can help us a lot as he can play both inside and out wide. I think he can bring a lot to the team. He is here now, and good luck to him, because if he has luck then it will be good for us." Barcelona are 1/25 at Bet365 to win the LaLiga title this season.
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