Guillem Balague Offers Update On Coutinho’s Proposed Move To Barcelona

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the final weeks of the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on Philippe Coutinho….

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has offered an update on Philippe Coutinho’s proposed move to Barcelona and insists Liverpool are still refusing to sell this summer.

Coutinho has been identified by the Catalans as the ideal replacement for Neymar following his world record move to Paris Saint-Germain and Barca have been using all the tricks in the book to try and get a deal agreed.

Liverpool were initially confident Coutinho wouldn’t agitate for a move as he only signed a new long-term contract in January but the playmaker stunned the club after handing in a formal transfer request last week.

The 25-year-old made the request via email shortly after the clubs owners, FSG, had issued a statement declaring Coutinho would not be sold at any price this summer.

We’ve since seen reports of unrest between Jurgen Klopp and Coutinho while the Daily Record claimed over the weekend that Liverpool were ready to back down after supposedly setting their asking price at £137m during secret talks with Barca.

The Daily Star are carrying a report today from Spanish outlet Sport that claims the La Liga giants are confident of wrapping-up a deal over the next 48 hours as they plan to unveil Coutinho as their player by the end of the week.

However, respected Spanish football expect and Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balague has provided an update on Twitter and he insists that despite what’s being reported in the press, Liverpool still insist that Coutinho is not for sale at any price.

He Tweeted:

1. On Coutinho. No matter what the Catalan press say (48 hours, Liverpool has put a price on him, meetings soon), LFC insist: NOT FOR SALE! pic.twitter.com/iedQzWjtr1

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 15, 2017

2. In fact: no meetings planned with FCB, no price has been put on Coutinho, right now LFC do not want to sell

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 15, 2017

It’s going to be interesting to see how Coutinho and Barca respond if Liverpool continue to rebuff their attempts to force a deal before the end of the month, but the ultimate decision rests with FSG as the player is under a long-term contract..

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news

The Merseysiders need to decide whether to keep an unhappy player against his will and hope the situation resolves itself once the window’s shut or cash-in now and give Klopp time to bring in a replacement.