Liverpool’s strange Coutinho transfer clause that prevented Salah Barcelona move

Liverpool had inserted an odd transfer clause into the deal that saw Philippe Coutinho leave for Barcelona in 2018.

The Brazil international was desperate to make his dream move come true.

And after a summer long pursuit ended, Barca eventually got their man in the following transfer window in January.

However, it has not gone to plan for the former Inter Milan star – who failed to stamp his ability on the squad.

A series of poor performances saw the playmaker become a scapegoat for frustrated fans.

And this season he was loaned out to Bayern Munich to help boost his confidence.

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There had been rumours that a move back to Liverpool could be on the cards.

But the Reds do not have a buyback clause and would have to negotiate a price with Barcelona.

However, Anfield chiefs had the foresight to include one term that means that the Catalan club would have to pay a premium of £89m (€100m) for any Liverpool player they wished to sign before 2020.

That means it effectively ended any chance the Spanish giants had of signing the likes of Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

And that became a masterstroke after the Champions League encounter between the two.

With Jurgen Klopp’s men staring at defeat after a 3-0 loss at the Nou Camp, Liverpool were staring at defeat.

But a raucous Anfield inspired them to a 4-0 win that left Ernesto Valverde and Lionel Messi gobsmacked.

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Barcelona would no doubt like to have a chance to sign the likes of Salah, Mane or even players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino.

But the clause automatically would whack the price up further than what Barca would like to have paid.

It was good news for Liverpool, who lost star man Luis Suarez to the club not too long ago as well.

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