Liverpool Transfer News: Latest on Philippe Coutinho, Top Reds Rumours
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has said he believes Barcelona manager Luis Enrique "loves" Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool but admitted he does not think the Blaugrana will make a move for the Brazil international anytime soon.
In his weekly question-and-answer session with Sky Sports, the journalist said Barca have no plans to sign Coutinho, opting to invest in other positions and talents.
Balague explained his thoughts:
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"Barcelona love Coutinho but they have no strategy to sign him at the moment.
Neymar would like them to sign him and Coutinho himself is interested in the fact that Barcelona have followed him.
That’s because he’s a forward and he can play where Lionel Messi and Neymar play but they are both there. Coutinho can’t be a substitute of those.
He’s also going to cost around 70 million euros (£60 million) and there is no buyout clause. This would mean a lot of negotiating with Liverpool. I don’t see it happening. Barcelona will spend their money somewhere else.
"
According to a recent report by UOL Esporte (h/t Catalan daily Sport), the Catalans have been monitoring the Reds midfielder closely as they consider an approach.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has quickly moved to state his belief the player is happy on Merseyside, as quoted by Glenn Price of ESPN FC:
"My feeling and my opinion is that he feels really well here. We all hope and think his future is here in Liverpool.
Everyone forgets when you talk about Phil that he's still very young. You're saying now that he's the player Brazil always dreamed of, but he's only 24 now, with a long way to go and lots of space of development.
"
Coutinho has grown during his stay at Anfield, and he has turned into one of the classiest operators in the Premier League since Klopp took the reins at their Melwood training ground.
The Brazilian talent has five goals and five assists in the Premier League this term, according to WhoScored.com, and is developing into one of the most productive players in European football.
Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano recently showered him with praise after he scored for Brazil in their 3-0 victory over rivals Argentina:
In other news, Eden Hazard has said he advised countryman Christian Benteke to leave Liverpool and complete a switch to the capital to join Crystal Palace.
Speaking to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian, the Chelsea wizard said: "When he decided to leave Liverpool and had the opportunity to sign for Crystal Palace, a good club in the Premier League where he'll play and score goals because he has team-mates of quality, I told him: 'Come to London.' 'Come, come, because I’ll see you all the time.'"
The striker was a flop at Anfield after his big-money move from Aston Villa, and as soon as Klopp was installed as coach, it was evident Benteke could not function in the manager's system.
The Belgium international appears more comfortable in London, scoring four goals in nine Premier League appearances, according to Squawka.
Despite the increased interest in Coutinho, it is imperative that Liverpool retain the player for at least the next two or three seasons.
Reds fans have watched marquee players develop at Anfield and then abscond, leaving the team in dire straits and on the brink of collapse again.
The exits of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres saw a negative shift in direction for Liverpool in recent years, but now the club has a world-class coach who should be able to retain the primary talent at his disposal.
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