Philippe Coutinho ready to go on STRIKE to force through Barcelona move – Spanish paper

Philippe Coutinho ready to go on STRIKE to force through Barcelona move – Spanish paper
Coutinho was absent as Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Germany last night.

The Brazilian playmaker was ruled out with a back problem having handed in a transfer request via email on Friday.

Liverpool continue to insist Coutinho is not for sale despite reports in Spain claiming that Barcelona are close to signing him.

And Spanish sports paper Mundo Deportivo say Coutinho is ready to tell Liverpool he will not play for them again if they don’t let him leave.

It is claimed the 25-year-old is willing to risk his place in the Brazil team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia next summer in order to do so.
Mundo Deportivo add Coutinho has already told Jurgen Klopp he does not plan to pull on a Liverpool shirt ever again.

Barcelona have had bids of £72million and £90m rejected by the Reds but are expected to come back in with an £100m-plus offer.

But the Spanish giants seem to be hoping Coutinho pushes for a move enough to force Liverpool into selling.




Philippe Coutinho was pictured looking glum as he arrived at the club’s Melwood training ground yesterday while his team-mates prepared to face Hoffenheim.

The Catalan press have been suggesting a deal is close for a number of days but despite the player’s intention to move Spanish football expert Guillem Balague thinks otherwise.
Yesterday morning he tweeted: “1. On Coutinho. No matter what the Catalan press say (48 hours, Liverpool has put a price on him, meetings soon), LFC insist: NOT FOR SALE!

“2. In fact: no meetings planned with FCB, no price has been put on Coutinho, right now LFC do not want to sell.”

And Klopp reiterated Liverpool’s stance from owners Fenway Sports Group yesterday that the player is simply not for sale.

“If they (Barca) say they will bid whatever we don’t want it. It’s a clear message,” Klopp said.

“We don’t want money, we want to invest in the team and have the best team because we have our aims and dreams.”

Source:www.express.co.uk