Coutinho to Barcelona: Liverpool want Rakitic but La Liga side determined to offload Gomes
LIVERPOOL reportedly want Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic included in any deal for Philippe Coutinho - but the La Liga giants would rather give them Andre Gomes instead.
Michail Antonio backs Philippe Coutinho to force move to Barca
Liverpool playmaker Coutinho continues to be chased by Barcelona, who failed with a huge £118million bid for the Brazil international yesterday.
Barcelona want him to fill the void left by Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain and, despite the Reds' insistence he will not be sold, remain hellbent on securing a deal.
Reports have said they are holding out for an offer that would see Ivan Rakitic make the move to Merseyside.
The Croatia international has struggled for form over the past year and a new challenge could be the ticket to reviving his faltering career.
Liverpool want Ivan Rakitic but Barcelona want to give them Andre Gomes in any Philippe Coutinho deal
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Liverpool DO want Rakitic - but Barcelona are refusing.
Instead, manager Ernesto Valverde would rather give the Reds midfielder Andre Gomes.
Gomes arrived from Valencia for £36m a year ago but struggled as the club lost out on the La Liga title to fierce rivals Real Madrid.
And it is said Valverde feels Gomes is far more dispensable than Rakitic.
GETTY
Barcelona want to flog Andre Gomes to Liverpool
GETTY
Barcelona want Andre Gomes to sweeten a deal for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho
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Meanwhile, journalist Ian McGarry claims Jurgen Klopp has threatened to quit Liverpool if Coutinho is allowed to depart.
"When Barcelona made the original bid for Coutinho, Jurgen Klopp spoke with senior figures at Liverpool," he told the Transfer Window podcast.
"I’m not saying they were directly involved with FSG in America but they had the ear of FSG and John W Henry.
"He said ‘if you sell Coutinho, I will seriously consider my position at this club. Because if you sell that player from under my nose without giving me any reason or the opportunity to buy a player who can replace him, then you’re undermining my opportunity and ambition to make this club a serious contender for the Premier League and the Champions League.
