Barcelona couldn’t have imagined a worse summer than the one they’ve endured in 2017.

Paris Saint-Germain received an apology from top Barcelona target Marco Verratti over the rampant speculation linking him with a move to the Camp Nou – before splashing out a mammoth €222 million to activate Neymar’s release clause and are still condemning them for their actions since the move was made official.

TARGETS

Barca have also failed to land several other targets so far, with Arsenal unwilling to part ways with Hector Bellerin, Borussia Dortmund remain adamant that only an offer of €150 million will see them accept a bid for the highly-rated Ousmane Dembele, while Liverpool have remained firm with their stance on Philippe Coutinho.

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Considering the Blaugrana have plenty of money to spend, it comes as no surprise that their latest offers for the Brazil international have neared the £130 million mark.

Despite that, Jurgen Klopp’s side won’t be entertaining the offer while the Catalan giants could be readying a monster fourth bid.

Coutinho has made it clear that he wants to leave Anfield this summer, and Reds’ legend Graeme Souness believes the Merseyside club should cash-in now with the sum the La Liga outfit is offering – as he isn’t even their best player.

NOT A GAME CHANGER

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Players normally get their way at the end of the day and with the sort of cash that is being offered now, I'd be snapping their hand off.

"That kind of money you can't say no to. Is he that good? For that sort of money, you want a player that is a game-changer, the difference in big games, and I don't see him as that.

"Yeah, he is an attractive little footballer, he is neat and tidy on the ball, he wrong-foots people, he scores some wonder goals, but at that sort of level, I would take the money.

"I don't see him being a [Luis] Suarez or a Neymar."

In his opinion, Sadio Mane is the most influential player for Liverpool, not Coutinho, adding: "That would be Sadio Mane.

"Coutinho is six, seven goals a season. Does he turn up in the real big games? Mane is the man for me."

Regardless of what Souness believes, Liverpool’s stance so far suggests that they won’t be caving in this late in the transfer window, making it much more difficult for them to bring in a suitable replacement.

Although, any figure over the £100 million mark is something any club would consider.

What do you make of Graeme Souness’ remarks on the Philippe Coutinho situation? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.

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