Robbie Fowler is refusing to be deceived by Barcelona’s approach and has rubbished all talk of Philippe Coutinho leaving Liverpool this summer.
The Anfield legend insists the Spanish side’s very public pursuit is simply to please their own fans, who have grown frustrated by their club’s transfer business.
Coutinho was recently subject to an opening offer of £72million from Barcelona which, having been rejected by the Reds, is now expected to be increased to £80million.
Jurgen Klopp has already held talks with the Brazilian to inform him that the club will not be considering any bids and that he will not be sold.
In his column for the Mirror, Fowler said: “I’ve been watching a bit of the Tour de France recently, and they laugh at the French guys who make an attack for the cameras.”
“It’s all for show with no chance of an end result… and I have the feeling that is exactly what Barcelona have done with their bid for Philippe Coutinho.”
“They have only signed Nelson Semedo for £30 million this summer, and their fans are getting restless, especially with Neymar making some unsettled noises and PSG waiting in the wings. For me, it’s one for the fans.”
“As things stand, I genuinely believe there’s no chance of him leaving Liverpool this summer. The way Jurgen Klopp has been so firm, so resolute in saying he is definitely staying, speaks volumes to me. It shows he believes it.”
“If I’m honest, I don’t even think a ridiculous bid will persuade Liverpool to sell this summer, not after their manager has said so staunchly he will not let his best players go.”
Though a second bid from the Spanish giants is sure to test Liverpool’s resolve, the message has been made perfectly clear- Coutinho is not for sale under any circumstances.
He finds himself on the brink of taking his own game to a world class level and central to a team capable of challenging for the Premier League.
At this stage in his career, he’s exactly where he needs to be in terms of growing as a leader on the ball and beginning to pose as the figure his teammates can turn to for a winner.
He faces the biggest season of his career yet. The sooner the speculation is put to rest, the better.
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