The Philippe Coutinho transfer saga has been frustratingly driven by a torrent of conflicting reports regarding Barcelona’s pursuit of the playmaker.
As far as Liverpool stand, there have been no developments since rejecting a second bid of £90million and the Brazilian himself handing in a transfer request.
The stance remains the same- the No.10 is not for sale at any price this summer.
Such confidence in an unaltered insistence has once again been thrown into doubt, with Barcelona’s general manager Pep Segura suggesting deals for Coutinho and Borussia Dortmund’s Ousmane Dembele are ‘close’.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has, however, been at hand to clarify such claims, explaining how Segura meant the club would like to negotiate with Liverpool, who have not at all changed their outlook.
There is every chance Liverpool will keep hold of their star man this summer, with owners Fenway Sports Group highly unlikely to go back on their word.
Besides this, Coutinho himself can’t afford to sulk if made to stay put with the 2018 World Cup approaching and a place in the Brazil squad very much his for the taking.
All affiliated with the club, fans included, can admit to having not quarrels with Coutinho for wanting to play for Barcelona, but the feeling is that the 25-year-old owes the Reds one more big season, at the very least.
The sooner it’s over, the sooner he can turn a focus back towards leading Liverpool up the Premier League table.
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