Philippe Coutinho hands in transfer request at Liverpool to force through Barcelona move
Reds rocked as Brazilian playmaker makes clear his desire to join Nou Camp in blockbuster summer switch
PHILIPPE COUTINHO has rocked Liverpool by handing in a transfer request.
But the Reds have rejected his approach – just hours after reiterating the Brazilian is NOT for sale as Barcelona eye a summer move.
But Coutinho, 25, is now trying to force through a move himself after emailing in an official transfer request.
And Sky Sports claims a member of his family said: “Philippe has tried very hard to find an amicable solution but to no avail.
“He has tremendous love for the club and fans but as Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez have pointed out in the past, Liverpool does not let its players leave on amicable terms.”
Suarez, 30, joined Barcelona in July 2014 for a stunning £75m.
Liverpool legend Gerrard left the club in the summer of 2015 after falling out of favour with then-boss Brendan Rodgers.
Coutinho, who has five years left on his current Anfield deal, told Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday he would NOT play in Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Watford.
He has missed training in the run up to the clash with a back injury, though is actually believed to be fully fit.
💎 Betting tips: Liverpool to beat Watford & BTTS, 11/5 💎
LIVERPOOL have won their last four opening day matches.
And they look excellent value to do the same against Watford on Saturday.
The Reds are 5/9 to win at Vicarage Road.
Both teams have scored in every one of Watford’s opening day games in the Premier League so we like the look of a Liverpool win and BTTS double.
That pays out at 11/5 with Sun Bets. You can add it to your betslip here.
Barca are desperate to land the midfielder as a replacement for £198million Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar.
The Catalan club have already had a second bid of £90m rejected by Liverpool.
This followed an initial offer of £72m last month.
Liverpool released this statement today: “We wish to offer clarity as regards our position on a possible transfer of Philippe Coutinho.
“The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.”
Liverpool have denied reports their star man has handed in a transfer request.
Coutinho has long been targeted by Barca but has seen that interest rapidly increase as they search for a suitable Neymar replacement.
The Brazil star signed a new long-term deal at Anfield in January, keeping him at the club until 2022.
Coutinho was Liverpool’s top Prem scorer last term with 14 goals and also made eight assists.
He joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in January 2013 for £8.5m.
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