Barcelona record signing Coutinho out for three weeks due to injury

Barcelona have confirmed that Philippe Coutinho has a thigh injury and will not be able to make his debut for the club for around three weeks.

Just hours after completing his €160 million move - a record signing for the Camp Nou side - from Liverpool, the 25-year-old suffered the frustrating news, which was made public as the playmaker was presented by his new club on Monday.

Coutinho underwent a medical during the morning , which revealed a right thigh problem that the club expect to keep him sidelined for three weeks, having missed his final match for Liverpool, an FA Cup derby against Everton, because of injury.

Given the details that Barcelona have released, Coutinho will miss Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16 second-leg meeting against Celta Vigo, plus both legs of the quarter-final should they progress. Additionally, trips to Real Sociedad and Real Betis in La Liga will come too soon.

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He would have to be considered doubtful for the home match against Alaves late in the month, meaning his debut could come in the derby fixture against Espanyol on February 4.

Coutinho scored seven goals and assisted seven more in the 14 Premier League appearances he made for Liverpool this season, but it has been a campaign troubled by injury issues.

He has missed three spells due to a variety of problems already, including a back problem that prevented him playing at all in August when Barca's interest first became apparent.

The news arrives less than 24 hours after Barca had some positive movement on the injury front, with bumper summer signing Ousmane Dembele, who was the club's previous record transfer arrival when he joined from Dortmund in the summer, returning to action after months out with hamstring problems .