Philippe Coutinho is desperate to join Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is said to be ‘more determined than ever’ to leave the club as Barcelona prepare a final £138million offer.

The Reds have rejected two bids for the Brazil international this summer and have no plans to sell the 25-year-old.

Coutinho handed in a transfer request at Anfield last week in a desperate bid to force through his dream move and Jurgen Klopp has been forced to bat away questions about the Brazilian’s future at the club.

Liverpool take on Hoffenheim in a Champions League play-off tonight but Coutinho has been ruled out with ‘illness’ and the former Inter Milan man remains desperate to move to the Camp Nou.

Coutinho will miss the Hoffenheim game with ‘illness’ (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona are believed to be surprised by Liverpool’s resolve in keeping Coutinho but Sky Sports says the Brazilian is ‘more determined than ever’ to leave Anfield and the La Liga giants will keep pursuing the transfer.

‘Philippe has never been more determined to leave Liverpool,’ a source told Sky Sports.

‘To suggest Barca are thinking of backing out and calling it a day, is absolute nonsense.

‘They’re all in now; their cards are on the table and they’ll never give up the fight.’

Barcelona’s last bid was worth £114m (Picture: Getty)

Barcelona’s last rejected bid was worth around £114m but they’re willing to stretch to £138m but installing a number of clauses in the deal.

The fear from Catalonia is that Liverpool’s stance is now a matter of principle and no amount of money could convince them to let Coutinho go at this late stage of the window.

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