Barcelona: Coutinho worth 160m if Van Dijk costs 80m, says Pirlo
Former Italy, AC Milan and Juventus midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo reckons that Philippe Coutinho's price is justified.
Andrea Pirlo says Barcelona recruit Philippe Coutinho is worth 160 million euros, highlighting Liverpool's big-money purchase of defender Virgil van Dijk.
Brazilian playmaker Coutinho was officially presented by Barcelona on Monday after swapping Liverpool's Anfield for Camp Nou in a blockbuster transfer.
Much has been made of the fee paid for Coutinho, but former Italy, AC Milan and Juventus midfield maestro Pirlo said the price is justified after the Reds spent in the region of 80m euros – £75m – to prise Van Dijk from Southampton this month.
Pirlo: Coutinho fee "only fair"
"Other than the crazy prices, the price of Coutinho is in line with the prices of today," Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia.
"If Van Dijk is worth 80m then he costs double. It's only fair."
Coutinho has agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal as he prepares to link up with star trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Ousmane Dembélé in Barcelona.
The 25-year-old, who made 152 Premier League appearances and contributed 41 goals and 35 assists, did not play in Barça's 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday, as the club retained a nine-point lead in LaLiga.