Liverpool refuse to sell Coutinho as Barcelona officials fly in
A delegation of three Barcelona officials – Oscar Grau, Raul Sanllehi and Javier Bordas – were understood to be in England last night in a bid to get Coutinho’s deal done.
Liverpool have already rejected a bid of £72m for Coutinho. Barcelona are understood to be ready to offer a deal worth up to £120m for Coutinho, who is keen on a move to the Nou Camp.
Klopp held talks with the 25-year-old last month after the Reds rejected Barcelona’s initial bid. But although he is keen, Coutinho does not want to rock the Anfield boat by handing in a transfer request.
The decision now rests in the hands of Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, and if they decide to sell the Brazilian they would face a huge backlash from angry Reds fans.
Coutinho missed Saturday’s final pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao with a minor back injury and reported back for training yesterday
Liverpool start the new Premier League season on Saturday at Watford.But it remains far from certain that Coutinho will still be a Liverpool player by then.
Southampton prepared to let defender rot on sidelines
Southampton are ready to wreck captain Virgil Van Dijk’s hopes of a dream £60m move to Anfield after the Dutchman submitted a transfer request this week after months of speculation over his future.
A Saints insider said: “We do not want to sell Virgil to Liverpool and will happily let him sit in the stands all season if we have to.
“Most of the fans would back the club in this after everything that has gone on.
“We do not want to sell Virgil to Liverpool and will happily let him sit in the stands all season if we have to” according to a Southampton source
Southampton are still fuming with Liverpool after accusing them of tapping up their skipper earlier in the summer and are determined not to do business with Liverpool.
The 25-year-old is now a hate figure at St Mary’s after launching a scathing attack on the club on Monday claiming he was insulted at being fined and suggestions he didn’t want to train with his team-mates.
Liverpool to reject Hannover offer to sign Ben Woodburn on loan
Liverpool have reportedly turned down a loan request from Hannover for Ben Woodburn.
According to the Daily Mail, the Bundesliga side are showing interest in both Ben Woodburn and Ryan Kent. However, Liverpool are thought to be reluctant to let their youngest ever scorer go abroad as they look to keep a closer eye on his immediate progress.
The Chester-born teenager, who scored in Liverpool’s pre-season friendly win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, won the club’s academy player of the season award last term.