Barcelona have shown their true colours in Phillipe Coutinho pursuit

Barcelona have long portrayed themselves as a club for the people, however their recent transfer tactics have threatened to disrupt their humble image.

While football is far from a friendly sport, the sportsmanship on display this Summer has impacted greatly on the public perception of the Catalan club, with even past players hitting out at their actions.

Brazilian superstar Neymar sparked a domino effect as he pushed through a mega-money move to French giants Paris Saint Germain; smashing the transfer record in early August.

Neymar sparked a Domino effect following Barcelona exit

The world’s most expensive footballer hit out at directors of his now former club after his home debut with PSG against Toulouse last Sunday saying: “I spent four beautiful years there and parted happy.
But with [the board], no.

"For me, they are not the people who should be there, for the direction of Barca. Barca deserve much better." (As reported by the BBC).

His €222m switch has since forced a desperate and rash display of conduct from Barcelona who have identified both Liverpool’s Phillipe Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele as Neymar’s replacements.

However, despite a transfer request handed in by the Premier League midfielder, the Merseyside club are clinging on to their playmaker with three bids already rejected.

Despite the seemingly straight forward process, Barcelona, have went above and beyond the protocol of respect, by filing both transfer offers the day before The Reds are set to play a fixture.

With Jurgen Klopp preparing to play his first home Champions League fixture at Anfield, a mega transfer offer would serve as a major distraction to the manager and his players.

The most recent proposal was taken with a slightly baffling raise of the eyebrows, as just (€130m) £119m was on the table with a measly €90 (£82.3m) guaranteed and €40m (£36.6m) in add on clauses.

The add on inclusions were for:
· Winning multiple trophies in a singular season
· Winning the UEFA Champions League multiple times
· Winning the FIFA Ballon D’Or
· Winning multiple trophies and the Ballon D’Or in a singular season
· With the guaranteed fee of £80m payed over five years

Liverpool rejected the transfer offer, but still the Spanish giants cheekily suggested there was a 7pm deadline for a response two days after submission; which was laughed off by The Reds.

Liverpool are determined to keep hold of Phillipe Coutinho (Joel Lampkin)

The importance of the 25-year-old to Anfield is massive with current midfielder Adam Lallana out until November at least, and with the Brazilian bagging 14-goals in their previous year’s campaign, he will be a major figure missing in their forward line.

It is believed by many Liverpool fans that Coutinho’s reported back injury by the club and Klopp, is nothing short of fiction, with the lure of the Nou Camp serving as a far too strong appeal for the 25-year-old.

According to Sky Sports news, the Catalan Club are preparing a fourth and what may be a final bid of £138m in a last-ditch attempt to add more fire power to their season, which has already saw them lose out on one trophy on offer (Super Cup) to rivals Real Madrid.

Coutinho was not present at Anfield for the club’s first home fixture this season and is not in the squad for their Champions League return clash against Hoffenheim, but this serves as no indication that Liverpool will give into the demands of both player and Barca