Barcelona to unveil Philippe Coutinho on Friday?

Barcelona have reportedly begun preparations to announce the signing of Liverpool attacker Philippe Coutinho on Friday.

The 25-year-old has been heavily pursued by the La Liga side this summer despite the Reds' reluctance to sell and are thought to have already had a bid in the region of £80m turned down.

Following the world-record £200m departure of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, however, Barca have intensified their attempts to sign the Brazilian and have reportedly sent a delegation of directors to the UK in order to get the deal done.

The club are thought to be prepared to spend up to £120m to land their man, and with the balance seemingly swinging in their favour, the media have allegedly been sounded out about a press conference for his unveiling at the end of the week.

Andy May, a journalist for BT Sport, posted an email on Twitter - apparently from Barcelona - declaring that Coutinho "will be presented as FC Barcelona new player this Friday at Camp Nou".

Here @detljuvalivet @Pauldackombe @DarrenW007; they must be nervous if they have already committed to pay for broadcast staff... pic.twitter.com/ilayCOp0uV

— Andy May (@andymay) August 9, 2017

Liverpool are said to be pursuing a deal for Borussia Dortmund's Christian Pulisic to fill the void left by Coutinho's departure.