Barcelona ready to transfer three world class players

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Barcelona have reportedly ready to invest the €222m from Neymar’s sale on Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Inigo Martinez.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have “accelerated” their pursuits of Coutinho and Dembele, both of whom have been “chosen” to replace Neymar.

The newspaper explains Coutinho’s agent Giuliano Bertolucci is in London, where is awaiting Liverpool’s response to Barca’s second offer for the Brazilian.

MD claims the Catalans have bid €100m plus bonuses for the attacking midfielder, figures that Liverpool “will struggle to refuse”.

Coutinho did not travel to Dublin for the Reds’ friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday and stayed back at the club’s Melwood training complex due to an “alleged” knock.

Furthermore, Liverpool “already have in mind” West Ham United’s Manuel Lanzini as a replacement for the 25-year-old.

As for Dembele, although Borussia Dortmund are standing firm, MD believes the Germans are coming to terms with the winger’s departure, “little by little”.

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The 20-year-old only joined BVB last summer, in a €15m deal from Rennes, but has “made it clear” that he wants to leave for the Blaugrana, despite late interest from Real Madrid.

A fee of €90m has been mooted for Dembele, who turned down Barca a year ago but would feel the time has come in his career to make such a move.

Dembele is quoted as having “very similar” characteristics to Neymar, thanks to his pace, dribbling, one-on-one ability and goalscoring.

Finally, Inigo Martinez remains “a step away” from becoming a Barca player, with his €32m release clause set to be triggered.

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