Renowned Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has refuted claims that Barcelona plan to meet with Liverpool after the Champions League draw to try and strike a deal for target Philippe Coutinho.
1. More false claims from Catalan press on Cout.: no plan to meet FCB after CL/EL draw, not true that LFC rejected offer because of clauses pic.twitter.com/dhpeaufBYt
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 20, 2017
Sky Sports reported on Friday that Liverpool had rejected a £113m third bid from the La Liga outfit.
He tweeted on Sunday that, contrary to “Catalan press” coverage, Liverpool had not rejected the bid on the basis of contract clauses.
2. If FCB wanted 2 negotiate in draw, they have problem: LFC wont send director of football/owners. Secretary + embassador would go instead
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 20, 2017
Balague also states that Barcelona would have trouble approaching the Merseyside club after the draw anyway, as Liverpool are planning to send their secretary and club ambassador to the event.
The Champions League draw is scheduled to take play in Monaco on the 24th August.
Balague claims that if their recent bid for Coutinho still remains rejected or ignored by 7pm on Sunday, Barcelona will withdraw it totally. The Express claimed on Sunday that Ernesto Valverde’s side are set to offer £130m for the midfielder.
3. In fact, in 3rd offer, FCB put deadline of 7pm TODAY: if rejected they will withdrawn it. And… LFC will not answer/sell
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 20, 2017
Coutinho has missed both of Liverpool’s opening two Premier League games and the Champions League Play-off first leg qualifier against Hoffenheim.
The Barcelona saga might well be coming to a close soon but Liverpool’s troubles won’t be as the unsettled Brazilian has the Anfield spotlight remains sternly fixed on the 25-year-old.