Philippe Coutinho’s agent – Kia Joorabchian – has blasted Barcelona amid suggestions that his star client may be moved on this summer.
The Catalan club have recently announced the capture of World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, and, to make matters worse, there are rumours that he’ll be taking the number seven shirt off Coutinho.
The Brazilian has been subject of a lot of transfer speculation since he hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at the Nou Camp, and Barcelona fans aren’t renowned for being patient.
According to Mundo Deportivo – via the Metro, the Reds are willing to allow Coutinho to link up with the Champions of Europe if Barca are willing to slash their asking price.
MORE: Liverpool ready to sanction Coutinho return on one condition – report
But Joorabchian insists that Phil is going nowhere. “I was told they have no intention of selling him, that Barcelona have not spoken to anyone and that stories to the contrary are simply not true,” he told the Telegraph.
“I will not let people talk about Philippe and put him down because for one-and-a-half years we have said nothing. All of us in Philippe’s camp will not let that happen because Barcelona have told us he is staying.
“Coutinho’s camp are not actively looking to move him but we believe people inside Barcelona may be acting without authority to try and sell the player.
“Either Barcelona have to contain the people within their organisation who are giving out information to the contrary or they have to tell us the truth if they have changed their minds.”
Scathing stuff. If Joorabchian’s hunch is true, and Barcelona have been slyly trying to offload Coutinho, then that is unfortunate, but we know all too well their underhand tactics.
Phil would make a good addition to Liverpool’s squad if he’s on his way out, but the Reds will only sanction such a deal if Barca are willing to accept a vastly reduced fee.