Meet the world's second most expensive footballer

Liverpool's Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho will join Barcelona in a record deal worth 120 million euros ($144.34 million) plus 40 million euros in add-ons.

Liverpool's Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho signed up for La Liga leaders Barcelona in a club-record deal on Saturday.

"FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho. The player will sign a contract for the remainder of the season and five more, and will have a buyout clause of 400 million euros," Barcelona said on their website.

Barcelona-based daily Sport said the deal is worth 120 million euros ($144.34 million) plus 40 million euros in add-ons that would see the player sign a five-year contract.

That fee would eclipse the 105 million euros Barca paid Borussia Dortmund for France forward Ousmane Dembele in August.

It would also see Coutinho become the second most expensive footballer ever behind compatriot Neymar, who moved from Barcelona to Paris St Germain for 222 million euros in August.

The AS newspaper said Coutinho, 25, is expected to watch the La Liga leaders play Levante on Sunday in the presidential box at the Nou Camp, with a deal being made official next week.

The Brazilian has not played in Liverpool's last two Premier League games against Burnley and Everton, with coach Juergen Klopp saying he has a thigh injury.

British media reported that Coutinho was also absent from the club's trip to Dubai on Saturday for warm weather training.