The sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain is expected to set off a domino effect across Europe, but Barcelona aren’t having any luck spending that €220m after Liverpool turned down their second offer of 100m euros for Philippe Coutinho this week.
Though RMC have announced both failed offers of 80m and 100m euros, the feeling in Catalonia is that Liverpool will sell eventually, a sentiment that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp does not share:
When asked about the possibility of Coutinho moving to Barcelona Klopp replied:
“If you say he is not available to be sold, where is the interpretation?
“The word ‘not’ means there is no interpretation. There is nothing new.”
In Liverpool’s favor is the fact that the 25-year-old Coutinho signed a new five-year contract at Anfield with no release clause in January.
But the Reds talisman jhas obviously had his head turned by Barcelona’s approach and the Reds’ boss held talks with his playmaker recently in an effort to thwart Barcelona’s interest in signing him.
Klopp asked Coutinho to stay at Anfield and allow the club to prove they can match his ambition and compete for trophies.
Klopp believes he can convince his best player to stick with the Reds as they prepare to compete for the Premier League title and a first Champions League campaign in three years.
In return, if Liverpool fail to satisfy Coutinho’s ambitions by next summer, the club will willingly negotiate with Barcelona for the player’s transfer.
So far Coutinho has been quiet on his future, but with the Neymar to PSG deal expected to be completed this week, the pressure from Spain will be ramped up on Countinho.
If he tells Klopp that he wants to move to the Camp Nou, that will be a huge blow to Liverpool’s ambitions this season as it is getting late in the transfer window to try and spend £100m+ on a new creative player.
Do you think Coutinho will still be a Liverpool player come September 1?
