Liverpool dropped Coutinho asking price - Mestre
Coutinho was heavily linked with a move to Catalonia during the close-season but a transfer never materialised as Liverpool were steadfast in their determination not to sell the Brazil international.
But Mestre claims the Premier League side significantly reduced their asking price for the attacker, allowing a deal to be done for a reported €160million.
"The interest of the club has always been to sign Coutinho," Mestre told a news conference.
"The difference with the summer is that there has been a big reduction in the price.
"By desire of Liverpool, we cannot give the figures, but there has been a very important reduction.
"If I said something, it would be to break the pact we have with Liverpool.
"It's bad for me but we cannot give any figures."
@Phil_Coutinho: "My dream was to come here and these opportunities are unique and I had no doubts. Even though I can't play now in the Champions League, I will be able for the next 5 years" #CoutinhoDay pic.twitter.com/wV1c7BoEkY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 8, 2018
Discussing his time at Liverpool, Coutinho told reporters: "I gave everything I could. Unfortunately we couldn't win [the Premier League].
"But I lived there for five years and my family was very happy there, so I just would like to thank them again."