Liverpool Have Turned Down A €100m Bid For Philippe Coutinho

Last week, Spanish radio station Catalan Radio RAC1 reported that Barcelona and Philippe Coutinho had agreed terms after representatives of the Catalan club flew to Liverpool.

But five days after those reports emerged, it looks like the deal isn't quite over the line just yet.

Liverpool have turned down a bid of €100m for the Brazilian playmaker, according to RMC journalist @mohamedbouhafsi.

It is believed that Barca had a £72 million bid for the 25 year old former Inter attacking midfielder turned down after intense speculation that Coutinho would move in the summer window.

The news comes hours after Jurgen Klopp insisted that Coutinho - who signed a new five-year contract at Anfield in January - was not for sale.

Klopp said via Sky Sports: "If you say he is not available to be sold, where is the interpretation?

"The word 'not' means there is no interpretation. There is nothing new."

Coutinho

The Reds hold all the cards as they know how desperate Barcelona are for the deal to be complete.

Neymar looks to be on his way to Paris Saint Germain in the coming days, and the Spanish giants will be looking to replace the Brazilian winger fairly quickly before the season begins.

Is was thought that Klopp's team were looking for around £89 million for Courinho before they would consider selling the former Espanyol loanee, and given the current market, that seems very fair.

Coutinho

The Coutinho to Barca rumours haven't gone away in recent weeks and one of the most recent stories, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo via Metro, featured Barcelona defender Rafinha, who Jurgen Klopp is reportedly an admirer.

The defender is attracting plenty of interest, with Arsenal and Spurs also keeping tabs on the Brazilian, but Liverpool have asked to add Rafinha in the deal for Coutinho.

Thoughts on Coutinho's future at Liverpool? Should he stay or should he go?

Let us know.

Topics: Liverpool, Coutinho, Barcelona

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_