Barcelona end interest in Philippe Coutinho?

Barcelona have reportedly abandoned their pursuit of Liverpool maestro Philippe Coutinho.

The La Liga giants have been in hot pursuit of the 25-year-old all summer and earlier this week reportedly had a bid of £89m turned down by the Reds, who have insisted that he is not for sale.

Speculation of a move for Coutinho intensified further following Neymar's world-record, £200m exit from Barca, with one report suggesting that talks had now reached an "advanced" stage.

According to Corriere dello Sport, however, Barcelona have now given up on signing Coutinho and have instead focused their attention on Juventus frontman Paulo Dybala, who could be available for a similar fee.

Coutinho signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool earlier this year, contracting him at Anfield until 2012.