How Much Does Barcelona Owe Liverpool for Coutinho?
Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in January 2018 was one of the most talked-about deals in football history. The Brazilian playmaker’s move to the Camp Nou came with a hefty price tag, but how much does Barcelona actually owe Liverpool for acquiring his services?
The Initial Transfer Fee
The initial transfer fee that Barcelona paid to Liverpool for Coutinho was a staggering €120 million. This made him the second-most expensive player in history at that time, only behind his compatriot Neymar Jr.’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
This massive sum of money was undoubtedly a significant investment for Barcelona. They were hoping that Coutinho’s creative abilities and goal-scoring prowess would help fill the void left by Neymar’s departure and strengthen their attack.
Add-Ons and Bonuses
However, the total cost of Coutinho’s transfer did not stop at the initial €120 million fee. The deal between Liverpool and Barcelona included several add-ons and bonuses based on specific performance-related criteria.
One of these add-ons was triggered when Coutinho reached 25 appearances for Barcelona in official competitions. Once this milestone was achieved, an additional payment of €5 million was due to Liverpool.
In addition to appearance-related bonuses, there were also clauses tied to Coutinho helping Barcelona achieve success on the pitch. For instance, if Barcelona were to win the UEFA Champions League during Coutinho’s time at the club, they would have been required to pay an additional €20 million.
The Outstanding Balance
As of now, it is estimated that Barcelona still owes Liverpool approximately €29 million from the initial transfer fee and add-ons. This outstanding balance is a result of the performance-related criteria not being met within the specified time frame.
It is worth noting that Barcelona loaned Coutinho to Bayern Munich for the 2019-2020 season, and the German club agreed to cover his wages during this period. However, this loan deal did not include an option to buy, so any outstanding payments are still Barcelona’s responsibility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Barcelona initially paid €120 million to Liverpool for Philippe Coutinho’s transfer. However, due to performance-related add-ons and bonuses, the total cost of the transfer increased.
As of now, Barcelona still owes Liverpool around €29 million from the initial fee and add-ons. It will be interesting to see how this outstanding balance is resolved in the future as both clubs continue their respective campaigns.