Catalan radio station RAC1 claim that Barcelona are set to their interest in Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho. Despite an official transfer request from the Brazilian, the Reds have refused to enter into negotiations with the Spanish giants and they now feel that a move this summer will be impossible.
That is great news for Liverpool, who now look set to retain their number ten. The issue is far from resolved though, with Coutinho not currently available for selection due to what is reported to be a back injury keeping him sidelined. Now, the club will need to rebuild their relationship with the midfielder having rejected all of Barcelona’s bids for their man.
Liverpool are also ready to move if Southampton change their stance on Virgil van Dijk, say the Liverpool Echo. The Saints have refused to consider selling the Dutchman despite him too submitting a transfer request, but have been linked with several central defenders who could replace him.
There has been no other sign that the south coast club could consider a sale, but Van Dijk is yet to be involved this season as manager Mauricio Pochettino continues to leave him out. With ten days left of the transfer window this summer, there could be more twists and turned ahead.
One defender who may not be on the move is Mamadou Sakho. The news comes as the Liverpool Echo quote Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer as revealing that the Eagles had been priced out of a move for the Frenchman, who is valued by Liverpool at £30 million. He said:
“Everybody knows he had a major impact last season and, when he’s available for us, I think that is a quality injection for the club. It is not like this now because he is much too expensive for the club.”
Now entering into the final stretch of the transfer window, it remains to be seen if Liverpool will lower that asking price in an attempt to force through a sale before the end of August.