The agent of Phillipe Coutinho has revealed that Barcelona have told him that they are not looking to sell his client this summer, despite persistent links suggesting a return to the Premier League is on the cards.
The Brazilian developed into one of the Premier League‘s star players during his time at Liverpool, form which earned him a big-money move to Barcelona in January 2018, a deal which could ultimately reach £142 million.
During his time at the Camp Nou though, the 27-year-old has failed to replicate the form he showed at Anfield, and has seemingly struggled to settle, making just 22 starts for the Catalans in La Liga last season, scoring five goals and making two assists.
The arrival of Antoine Griezmann adds even more competition into Barcelona’s heavily stacked forward department, with Coutinho having previously been linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea. More recently though, a return to Liverpool has been speculated, but his agent, Kia Joorabchian, has revealed that the Spanish champions have told him that they aren’t considering cashing in on their expensive asset.
???????? That shirt's going to look great on him!
No number yet … any idea what it's going to be? ???? pic.twitter.com/RtU0EsZ49u— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 14, 2019
“We met president [Josep Maria] Bartomeu and the directors last Wednesday and they told us Coutinho was absolutely not for sale, that they have never spoken about him leaving, never offered him to another club and didn’t wish to pursue it,” Joorabchian told Sky Sports.
“Barcelona keep getting stronger and stronger, but they’ve been categorical that they don’t have to sell, and they don’t want to.”
He has also been linked with a move to PSG, where he could potentially be used as a makeweight in a move for Barcelona to re-sign Neymar. While Joorabchian insists there has been no contact with the French champions, he would ‘do what is best’ for his client should Barca decide to sell.
“Paris Saint-Germain are a great club, but we have had no contact about Philippe with them whatsoever,” Joorabchian added.
“We’ve never had a conversation with them about Philippe and we know them very well. It’s never been in consideration. It’s something that if it comes to the point that Barcelona would like Philippe to leave then we would do what is best for him.”
See also – Five massive transfers we expect to happen this summer
