Ernesto Valverde, the Barcelona head coach, has hailed new signing Philippe Coutinho, saying the Brazil international ‘can bring us a lot of things’ to the Spanish club. Coutinho was at the Nou Camp to watch his new side’s 3-0 La Liga win over Levante on Sunday following his British record move, which could be worth up to £142 million as first reported by Telegraph Sport on Saturday afternoon.
The 25-year-old will perform a ceremonial signing of his contract on Monday morning before a photo-shoot on the pitch followed by a press conference. Valverde is confident Coutinho, who arrived at Liverpool from Inter Milan for £8.5m in January 2013, will prove a valuable addition to his star-studded squad. “I think he can bring us a lot of things,” Valverde said at a press conference, as quoted by Spanish media outlet Marca.
“I have seen him play in many positions both for Liverpool and in his national team. “After taking a long break, he is already with us, we hope he will help us and we will wait to see him train for at least one day to assess his condition.” Coutinho has been reported to be carrying a thigh injury which could yet delay his Barcelona debut, which had been expected against Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey tie on Thursday.
? Barça fans – @Phil_Coutinho has something to say! ?
Find out more about #CoutinhoDay: https://t.co/344oHdw9AB pic.twitter.com/yEORWXMllE— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2018
Source: The Telegraph
