Reports from Spain surrounding Philippe Coutinho rarely fail to spark panic but they do always leave something to suggest they shouldn’t be taken seriously.
Latest supposed developments have suggested that a £90million deal has been agreed and that the Brazilian would be a Barcelona player within the next few days.
This seems unlikely, though, given Liverpool’s stern and crucially unchanged insistence that the 25-year-old will not be sold under any circumstances this summer.
Having said this, Liverpool are ‘loco’, meaning crazy, for midfielder André Gomes to be included as part of a deal for Coutinho, according to Catalan-based outlet Mundo Deportivo.
This contradicts recent reports from the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce, who rubbished suggestions the Reds were interested in taking Gomes to Anfield.
He wrote: “Liverpool insist there will be no cash plus player transaction for Coutinho.”
As it stands, the club still has no intention of selling the playmaker ahead of a season in which the Reds will be expected to challenge for the Premier League title.
Spanish publications have stepped up their efforts to fuel speculation, only for Jurgen Klopp himself to reiterate a stance that simply won’t be altered between now and the transfer deadline.
This week could prove to be the most telling in terms of where Coutinho will be playing his football by the end of the summer.
Some reassurance from the man himself would work a treat right now.
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