Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona
In January 2018 Barcelona signed Coutinho for £105m, rising to £142m — one of the biggest transfers ever. It became one of the most discussed signings that didn't work out.
The record signing
Arriving from Liverpool, Coutinho was meant to be the long-term creative heir in Barcelona's midfield, under huge expectation.
Why it failed
Pressure from the fee, competition for his position in a star-laden squad, injuries and dips in form undermined his Camp Nou spell.
The Bayern loan and the 8–2
On loan at Bayern in 2019–20, he produced the ultimate irony — scoring against parent club Barcelona in the 8–2 Champions League rout.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Barcelona pay for Coutinho?
Barcelona signed Coutinho from Liverpool in January 2018 for £105m, rising to as much as £142m with add-ons.
Why did Coutinho fail at Barcelona?
A mix of pressure from the record fee, positional overlap with other stars, injuries and inconsistent form.
Did Coutinho score against Barcelona?
Yes — on loan at Bayern Munich, he scored in the historic 8–2 win over Barcelona in 2020.