Barcelona unveils Coutinho to fans

Philippe Coutinho’s £142m move to Barcelona was officially confirmed on Monday as the playmaker was unveiled to fans at the Nou Camp.

The Brazilian, 25, signed a five-and-a-half-year contract alongside president Josep Maria Bartomeu, before performing keepy-uppies in front of supporters.

BBC reports that a deal for Coutinho to join Barcelona from Liverpool was agreed on Saturday.

“I want to thank the president and everyone who has made it possible,” said Coutinho.

“I am very happy, it’s a dream come true and I hope to be up to the job on the field.”

Coutinho is reported to have committed £11.5m of his own money to help facilitate the deal.

“Philippe, welcome. We know that you have made a personal and economic effort,” said Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre.

Bartomeu said the club had been pursuing Coutinho since last summer and that the Brazilian is “one of the world’s stars”.

He added: “We knew it was not going to be easy to get him here. We’ve been talking and working for months on this, but one of the important aspects was he wanted to come here.

“He helped make an effort, and he was patient, and that was been key in him coming here.

“I also want to thank Liverpool, one of Europe’s biggest clubs, for allowing him to leave and come here.”