Just as Barcelona thought their humiliation could not get any worse, a clause in the contract of Philippe Coutinho means they would have to pay up if he wins the Champions League this season.
Coutinho topped off the embarrassment for Barca in Lisbon, coming off the bench to provide an assist and score the final two goals in an 8-2 thrashing as the whole world watched on.
If that wasn’t enough, Barca will now be in line to make a payment to Coutinho’s former club Liverpool if he gets his hands on the main prize.
A string of clauses were inserted into the contract of the Brazilian when Barca finally prized him away from Anfield, making him their most expensive signing ever with an overall fee of £140million.
Liverpool stipulated that one of the additional payments – totaling £4.5m (€5m) – must be made if Coutinho goes on to win the Champions League during his time contracted to Barca.
But this certain clause was made ‘player-specific,’ according to the Mirror, meaning Barca will still have to dish out the cash even though Coutinho winning European football’s premier competition would not be to their benefit.
Following a poor first season in Catalonia in which he was unable to settle into the main side, Coutinho was shipped of to Munich on loan.
The Germans had an option to buy inserted with the Brazilian, but have indicated this will not be taken up following the conclusion of the campaign.
Coutinho has recovered a degree of his old form in Bavaria, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 23 Bundesliga games this season.
He also has three goals and three assists in nine Champions League matches.
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