Barcelona could add midfielder in deal as sweetener for Coutinho

Barcelona could include Andre Gomes into a deal with Liverpool that would help Philippe Coutinho come the other way, reports Mundo Deportivo.

The Spanish giants are looking to reinvent the £193m raised from Neymar’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain and have earmarked the arrival of Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund winger Ousmane Dembele as their top priorities.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is desperate to keep the Brazil international but there are growing reports in Spain suggesting a deal worth €100m (£90m) is imminent.

Coutinho has reportedly already agreed terms to a five-year deal with Ernesto Valverde’s side but only wants an amicable exit from Liverpool and will not force through a deal by acting out of character.

Nevertheless, Barcelona are aware Gomes is a player that Klopp admires and anticipate the Portugal international could come up in conversation as they look for different ways to get a deal for Coutinho over the line.

Gomes only joined Barcelona from Valencia 12 months ago but endured a disastrous first year at the club, although Valverde has high hopes for the 24-year-old and would ideally like to keep him at the Camp Nou.

Of players that made at least 10 league appearances for Barcelona last season, only Denis Suarez (6.57) gained a lower WhoScored rating than Gomes (6.65).