BARCELONA: Pep Segura, general manager of Barcelona, has said the club are close to completing the signings of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool and Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund.

Liverpool remain adamant that Coutinho – who has submitted a transfer request – will not be sold in this transfer window while Dortmund suspended Dembele after the forward failed to show for training amid links with Barcelona.

However, Segura expressed confidence deals for both players could be done before the transfer window closes.

He told local television: “We are close to Coutinho and Dembele. We are discussing their deals but do not know when it will be done.”

Asked if he expected them to sign, he added: “Yes, we expect it.  We know we have to strengthen this team and that is what we are doing. We have to help the team.”

Barca need to replace Neymar after his world record exit to Paris Saint Germain, and their need for reinforcements was apparent as they lost 2-0 to Madrid on Wednesday night in the Supercopa de Espana, completing a 5-1 aggregate loss to the Spanish and European champions.

** Everton have completed the £45m purchase of Iceland playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea.

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