Barcelona have reportedly seen yet another bid of €80m (£72m) for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho get rejected as the Reds look determined for their next season with pretty much all reinforcements in place for manager Jurgen Klopp. The Brazilian international has been a long-term target for Barcelona with the La Liga giants eyeing him as a long-term solution.
The Catalans had one of their worst seasons last term, which saw them getting outplayed by opponents on multiple occasions. The faulty management of Luis Enrique could only earn them a Copa del Rey in the whole of last season, while they came extremely close to piping Real Madrid to the title. The former Barcelona player had to step down with new coach Ernesto Valverde taking the driving seat.
The impeccable side of Pep Guardiola, which had won everything in from 2011 to 2012 era is finally coming to an end as they run into the dreaded transition period. Their arch-rivals Real Madrid, who are pretty much experiencing the same thing, has managed it much more smoothly with a number of youngsters coming up.
Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy has shockingly run dry for the past few seasons with the likes of Sergi Roberto and Rafinha hardly making any impression coming up through the ranks. Hence, Barca turning attention to Coutinho as the long-term solution for Andres Iniesta is understandable.
The 25-year-old Brazilian international has been a rising star for both the club and the country in the past few seasons with numerous clubs vying for him now. But, his admiration for the Catalans and a close camaraderie with Neymar and Luis Suarez has always kept Barcelona as the front-runner in landing him.
Liverpool have been quite wary of it and it was just last season that the Reds extended his contract, which now sees him earn a whopping £150,000-a-week. Furthermore, Coutinho reportedly doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, which reflects Liverpool’s determination to hold on to him.
Speaking to media in Hong Kong, where Liverpool currently are on their pre-season tour, Klopp said, “Yes [Coutinho is not for sale] but that’s not since this morning or yesterday, it’s not been any different. Phil is a very important player for us.”
Liverpool are trying to create the impression that they aren’t a selling club anymore. They have sold the likes of Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres in the past and they are unwilling to commit the same mistake again for money.
A left wing by nature Coutinho can also play as a central midfielder. Since joining from Inter Milan back in 2013, the player has scored 42 goals registering 37 assists in 181 games for the club; indicating exactly why Barca are hot on his heels.
