Reports emerging on Tuesday suggest that Philippe Coutinho has asked Liverpool to allow him to join Barcelona. The Brazilian has been persistently linked with the Catalans for the last two years, but signed a new 5 year deal with Liverpool in January.
However, Barcelona have made two offers for Coutinho this summer and with the £198m Neymar fee burning a hole in their pocket, they are ready to come back with a third bid thought to be in the region of £120m.
Liverpool have been unrepentant all summer, insisting that the player is not for sale at any price. However, Coutinho has reportedly told Liverpool that he wishes to leave. He is currently being treated for a sore back.
Today’s reports suggest Coutinho, who joined the Reds from Inter Milan in January 2013, may even be willing to submit a transfer request to force the move. However, there is no suggestion that his attitude is untoward in training.
