Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Barcelona confirm deals for Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele are 'close'
General manager Pep Segura sought to reassure Barca fans following their humbling defeat to rivals Real Madrid in Wednesday night's Super Copa second leg
With Real now installed as hot favourites to defend their La Liga and Champions League crowns, Pep Segura sought to calm the mood among the Blaugrana faithful.
Five players to replace Neymar at Barcelona
Show all 5
"Coutinho and Dembele are both close,” Segura - who worked as Liverpool's assistant technica manager between 2009 and 2012 - told RAC1 after defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu. “We are hopeful that they will end up wearing the Barca shirt."
When pressed for details on the two deals, he added: "Until deals are closed I can't say anything. We know we have to help the team and reinforce it and that's what we are doing."
Similarly, Dembele appears to be forcing a move away from the Westfalenstadion, having gone AWOL from training last week. The 20-year-old’s actions earned him a fine and indefinite suspension from the Bundesliga club – and reports from Catalunya on Monday suggested a fee had been agreed between the two clubs.
Deals for both players are expected to exceed €100m.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies