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Barça have received their present from the Three Wise Men. The Catalan club has announced an agreement with Liverpool to sign Philippe Coutinho (Rio de Janeiro, 1992). They will pay a guaranteed 120 million euros (£106 million, $144 million) with 40 million more in variables to the English club for the Brazilian footballer. His new contract will run through to 30th June 2023. His termination clause will be 400 million euros (£355 million, $481 million).

Liverpool, for their part, have released a statement giving their approval for the transfer. Coutinho will see his wish to play for Barça fulfilled. He is expected to be presented this Monday, 8th January, at Camp Nou stadium after the usually medical check-up.

Coutinho, who hadn't travelled to Dubai with his now former Liverpool teammates, could come to Barcelona this very weekend to watch his new teammates play Levante in La Liga live. His arrival, however, will force Barça to drop some players, maybe Arda Turan, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Deulofeu or Aleix Vidal, who are taking up space in the line-up with a salary budget at its limit.

The most expensive signing in Barça's history

After failing to sign him over the summer, the Catalan club's second attempt to snatch up the midfielder has been met with success and Valverde now has one of the reinforcements he was looking for during the winter transfer window. Coutinho will become the most expensive signing in the club's history.

The numbers are not yet confirmed, but British media suggest that it could reach a total of 160 million euros (£142 million, $192 million). It's been reported that Coutinho offered to personally put up 15 million euros of the total out of his own salary to unblock negotiations, helping allay one of the main worries of Barcelona's leadership with Josep Maria Bartomeu stretching the salary budget.

After Ousmane Dembélé's return from injury, Valverde adds another first-rate player to his line-up. The Brazilian won't be able to play in the Champions League, but will help Barça in the last stretches of the Copa del Rey and La Liga, as well as allowing players who could compete in the European competition to rest.

It's not been cheap or easy but, in the end, Coutinho has come to Camp Nou to stay. Barça has ensured its present and future with the signing of a midfielder and the establishment of a very expensive termination clause. Time will show whether he settles in well or not, but, whatever happens, his profile will bring quality, unpredictability and goals to the team. Qualities which the team has dearly missed since Neymar's departure.

"Playing for Barça was his dream"

One of the key losers from the signing is Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's coach. "We've done everything possible for Coutinho to stay, but playing for Barça was his dream and his family's dream", he said, adding that the player was desperate for the transfer to take place.

Klopp confirmed that the player had been strongly urging Liverpool's staff to let him leave. "He's a great person and an excellent footballer", he said, before wishing Coutinho the best for the new chapter he is starting today.