Barcelona have been handed a huge boost in their chase of Philippe Coutinho. According to Sky Sports, the Brazilian ace has handed in an official transfer request in order to force a Camp Nou move.
This comes just as the Selecao ace appeared destined to stay. The Reds had reportedly rejected a fresh bid from the Blaugrana, who are eager to land the 25-year-old, before publicly admitting he’s not for sale.
BREAKING: @Phil_Coutinho hands @LFC an official transfer request - Sky sources. #SSN pic.twitter.com/Ju1vtSwKLJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 11, 2017
Liverpool understand the importance of Coutinho to their title hopes. With the Merseyside giants kick starting the 2017/18 campaign away to Watford, the former Inter Milan playmaker could be the difference between ending their Premier League title wait and another trophy-less season.
Furthermore, Klopp's side understands that replacing Coutinho will be extremely difficult. As a result, the club's owners Fenway Sports Group announced in a statement that no offers for the player will be entertained.
"We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho," FSG said via the club's official website.
"The club's definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer (transfer) window closes."
Philippe, however, is believed to be keen on joining the Blaugrana to fill the void left by Neymar. The Catalan giants, who also saw a bid for Ousmane Dembele rejected, handed Coutinho an ultimatum: it's now or never.
This tactic appears to have worked, but Barcelona will still face a struggle to land the South American. The Liverpool player signed a five-year deal in January which contains no buy-out clause, leaving the Reds with all the power.
Some journalists have taken to Twitter to refute Sky Sports report, claiming that the club have denied recieving a transfer request.
Liverpool deny a transfer request has been made by Coutinho.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) August 11, 2017
#LFC adamant that they haven't received a transfer request from Philippe Coutinho
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 11, 2017
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