Liverpool look determined to hold on to their prized asset Philippe Coutinho as reports indicate that they rejected a third bid from Barcelona in the region of £118million, the Express reports.
Barcelona have identified the Brazilian playmaker as a replacement for Neymar who has left the Catalans to join Paris Saint-Germain in a world record deal. After starting the summer with a view of adding Coutinho to the squad in a bid to keep Neymar at the club, the Spanish side are now resigned to using him as a replacement.
But Liverpool are refusing to relent on their decision to keep their star player and all three bids of the Catalans have been rejected. Even though Coutinho has handed in a transfer request to force a move, the Reds have remained firm.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona have not yet given hope and are confident of stitching a deal together before the transfer window closes.
Coutinho is yet to make an appearance for Liverpool in the new season although the official line is that his back injury is keeping him out of action. Coutinho is the prime target for Barcelona.
Where Does This Leave Coutinho’s Transfer?
I expect Barca to come back with a bigger bid and keep trying until the transfer window closes. Their need for a replacement is accentuated by the fact that Luis Suarez is injured and out of action for up to five weeks. They also have their eyes on Ousmane Dembele of Borussia Dortmund and face a harder wall of reluctance there.
Should Liverpool Accept The Offer?
More importantly, till when do they keep rejecting the offers? Coutinho signed a new five-year deal at Anfield in January with no release clause – so, clearly, the Reds are in the driving seat.
Their instant dismissal of the third bid is evidence enough that Liverpool will not be forced to sell their star player under any circumstances. It is a challenge though, to keep swatting away the increasing bid amounts.
But one thing is clear; no matter what the Barcelona camp says about the deal being close – the deal is no closer today than the first day it was reported. Hopefully, the Reds will maintain status quo and rebuff the Catalans.
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