The front page of Mundo Deportivo screamed: “Coutinho 145 millones.” SPORT went with the more intriguing “La Operacion Coutinho - Al Descubierto [Operation Coutinho Uncovered].”

Then, underneath that banner headline, came the nitty-gritty, with Liverpool supposedly having placed a valuation of €130-150 million (£115-£132 million) on Philippe Coutinho before the opening of the transfer window next month and the inevitable resumption of Barcelona’s pursuit of the Brazilian.

The reality remains it is highly unlikely Liverpool would name their price for a player in whom they rebuffed three bids during the summer ranging from £72 million through £90.3 million and, finally, up to £118 million provided Coutinho helped Barcelona to success in the Champions League and won personal awards such as the Ballon D’Or.

Barcelona made an offer of up to £118m for Coutinho in the summer AITOR ALCADE/GETTY IMAGES

Yet, equally,