Coutinho: Barcelona says Liverpool wanted $237M for Brazilian midfielder

Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Barcelona's attempt to acquire midfielder Philippe Coutinho was spurned after the club said Liverpool demanded about $237 million in the exchange.

Bosses from the Spanish club spoke about the move Saturday in a press conference. Director of professional sports Albert Soler and technical secretary for football Robert Fernandez revealed the monster cash request for the Brazilian and also the potential fee for Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria.

"We could be here today presenting two players that have cost us 270 million euros," Soler told reporters, according to the Barcelona website. "That would have been irresponsible. If that had happened, then there really would have been cause to call for our resignation."

Before the transfer window closed this week, Liverpool revealed Coutinho's cost.

"Liverpool put a 200 million price tag on a member of their squad," Soler said.

"Logically, the club decided that it was not going to go ahead with the operation."

Barcelona did agree to a deal with Bundesliga power Borussia Dortmund in August for striker Ousmane Dembéléa for a fee of about $125 million. That move came after the club lost Neymar Jr. to Paris Saint-Germain.

"The main priority was not to jeopardize the club's equity and economic viability...a club with 155,000 members must be managed reliably and responsibly," Soler said.

Paris Saint-Germain wanted about $83 million for Lionel Messi's Argentina teammate Di Maria, according to Soler.

Dembélé has 22 goals and 25 assists in 78 games since turning professional.

"We have a magnificent squad," Fernandez said. "I have no doubt about that. And the new signings will make us more competitive and as strong as we have been in recent seasons."

Coutinho, 25, has a goal and two assists in three games for the Reds this season. The skilled midfielder had 17 goals and nine assists in 38 games last year for Brazil and Liverpool.

A source close to Liverpool told ESPN FC that the claims from Barcelona are false regarding Coutinho.

Barcelona also signed Gerard Deulofeu, Nelson Semedo and Paulinho this summer.