Barcelona have suffered a blow in their pursuit of signing Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian international signed a long-term deal with the Reds on 25 January.
The 24-year-old made a switch to the Merseyside club Inter Milan in Janaury 2013 and established as a key player under Brendan Rodgers. Following the departure of Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling and with Daniel Sturridge struggling with injuries, the South American playmaker has been the main man for Liverpool.
Coutinho's form for the Premier League club has seen him attract interest from Barcelona. According to Goal.com, the player's compatriot Neymar was trying to convince to join him at Camp Nou.
However, the former Serie A man has snubbed advances from the Spanish giants in order to continue with his current employers.
A statement on Liverpool's official website read, "Liverpool FC can announce Philippe Coutinho has today signed a new long-term contract with the club.
"The 24-year-old has committed his future to the Reds by penning the fresh deal at Melwood, the terms of which will come into effect from July 1, 2017."
The Mirror reports that Coutinho has signed a five-year deal which will come into effect from the summer. The Brazilian has expressed his delight after penning a new long-term deal at Anfield.
"I would like to thank everybody at the club, first of all. I am very happy to sign a new contract here. It is a club that I am very grateful to and this shows my happiness here. I will work much harder to repay the belief shown in me," Coutinho explained.
"I signed this new contract to stay here for a few more years because it's a great honour for me. It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone at the club and the supporters right from my first day. I am very thankful to this football club for everything."
