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There's Still Three Months Left On Barcelona's £100 Million Transfer Clause With Liverpool

There's Still Three Months Left On Barcelona's £100 Million Transfer Clause With Liverpool

The clause comes from Barcelona's eventually successful chase for Philippe Coutinho, who is now on loan at Bayern Munich.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Liverpool have just three months remaining of a clause that will almost certainly stop Barcelona signing any of their players, meaning the summer could be a difficult time to keep hold of their players.

As per an in-depth report from the Daily Mail, Michael Edwards, Liverpool's sporting director, was able to get Barcelona to agree to a £100 million 'premium clause' if they want to sign any Reds' players until 2020.

The clause is pretty much unheard of in the modern game and essentially it means that the Spanish champions have to pay £100 million on top of any transfer fee if they go about trying to do some more business with the Anfield club.

Liverpool were able to negotiate the clause as part of the deal that saw Philippe Coutinho move to the Camp Nou in January 2018 for up to £142 million.

That transfer hasn't worked out well at all for the Catalan club with the Brazilian failing to make a similar impact in Spain that he had during his time in England.

After a spell of poor form last season the former Inter midfielder was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich at the beginning of the season, but the worst part of the deal may have been the £100 million clause.

Coutinho now at Bayern. Image: PA Images
Coutinho now at Bayern. Image: PA Images

At the time of the Coutinho deal, six months after Barca had initially tried to sign the midfielder, it looked like Liverpool were selling one of their best players to a European rival but they have hugely benefited.

The signings of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, in part funded by the sale, have taken Klopp's side to a new level whilst Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah have become an irresistible attacking force.

Liverpool have been to two Champions League finals since, winning last season against Spurs, and last year became the FIFA Club World Cup winners, beating Flamengo 1-0.

The Merseyside team also top the Premier League as they attempt to end their 30 year run without being league champions.

Barca lead in Spain but they haven't impressed in continental competitions in recent years, losing to Liverpool last season, and would undoubtedly be improved by Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mane or Salah.

Any of those players would be extremely expensive at the best of times but their £100 million clause makes it impossible, until the summer at least.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Football, REds, Barcelona, Premier League, La Liga, Barca

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28