Guillem Balague has claimed that Barcelona are not optimistic about signing Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool during the January transfer window.
“Liverpool don’t want to sell Coutinho,” Balague told Sky Sports after Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in Saturday’s Clasico. “That’s where they stand right now, so Barcelona are not optimistic about the possibility of Coutinho going there.
“Obviously they will try and they want to make an offer in January, but even Coutinho’s entourage are thinking it probably won’t happen, because Liverpool are saying the same as what they said in the summer: ‘We are not interested in selling’.”
Barcelona made repeated bids for the Brazil international during the summer transfer window and saw all of them rejected. Balague has added that the Reds have not changed their stance on the player.
Coutinho has been brilliant for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season and scored his 11th goal of the campaign during their 3-3 draw with Arsenal on Friday night so naturally the Reds will not want to part ways with him. However, Barcelona could attempt to swoop at the end of the season.
