The Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona rumours refused to die down - did you really think they would?

The Catalan giants vehemently pursued the Brazilian playmaker during the transfer window, but Liverpool resisted their big-money offers.

In fact, it's been reported that Jurgen Klopp was the man chiefly responsible for keeping the former Inter Milan man at Anfield because he believed the Reds would win the Premier League title with him.

Attacking wise, Liverpool have been fine this season and Klopp's decision may be justified.

It's been their defence that has let the German and his aspirations down with a 4-1 hammering away at Spurs the latest humbling reminder.

With Liverpool languishing in ninth place in the Premier League table, it's only natural that Coutinho's future is being discussed once more and apparently the Barcelona boardroom is a location of such discussions.

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona remain determined as ever to secure Coutinho and are willing to splash huge money to secure him - even in January.

But after Liverpool's defiant summer, the question is: has their stance softened at all?

The same report suggests that the club have had a change of heart somewhat and are now willing to sell, but only for a very high price.

The Merseyside club will not accept any offers for Coutinho below a whopping £134 million. Bear in mind, the last offer they turned down from Barcelona last August was £114 million.

Mundo Deportivo also state that PSG remain keen on the player, but the important thing to remember with this whole situation is Coutinho's desire to play or Barcelona.

While Liverpool have Coutinho contracted to the club for another four years as of January 2018, they must have known they'd only be delaying the inevitable.

Coutinho wants the move and Barcelona appear willing to stump up the cash Liverpool are demanding. Luckily for Liverpool, their No. 10's form has not declined since the close of the transfer window and his value is still very high.

If this deal is completed, Coutinho would become the second-most expensive player in the history of football, only second to Neymar's £198 million move from Barca to PSG.