Thursday’s transfer deadline can’t come soon enough for Liverpool fans desperate for Philippe Coutinho to stay.
The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, who have submitted three bids for him so far this summer, but Liverpool have so far been able to resist their advances.
Yet despite being knocked back three times, Barcelona’s sporting director Robert Fernandez confirmed they are still keen on signing two more players this summer, and it’s hard not to think one of those is Coutinho.
“We hope things progress well and that we are able to present another player this month,” Fernandez said, per ESPN.
"We know the type of player we want and the profile we need to improve the team and we will push until the last possible moment.
"My intention is that one more player comes in and, if it's possible, even two."
Coutinho hasn't played for Liverpool this season
Coutinho has made his desire to leave Liverpool clear by submitting a transfer request.
And more proof that the playmaker isn’t interested in playing for the Reds any longer came when photos of Coutinho in training for Brazil ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers emerged.
Liverpool have insisted that Coutinho’s absence in their opening three Premier League fixtures and Champions League qualifier against Hoffenheim was due to a back injury.
So why is he training for Brazil, just one day after Liverpool played Arsenal?
Whether Coutinho insisted Jurgen Klopp doesn’t play him or Liverpool felt that the 25-year-old wasn’t in the right state to play isn’t clear, but it remains a cause for concern either way.
Brazil's doctor explains why Coutinho hasn't played
Liverpool fans have begun to doubt Coutinho’s alleged back injury but Brazil’s team doctor has confirmed the claim, stating that it was brought on by stress surrounding the uncertainty of his future.
“Coutinho back problem? He is okay now,” Michael Simoni said, per the Mirror. “The back problem was a matter of stress, it was something emotional.
“The uncertainty about his future led him to feeling stressed. Everything is solved now.
“Coutinho and I are friends since years, I always treat his medical cases. All he needed was someone to give him a pep talk.”
Simoni’s colleague, Rodrigo Lasmar, added: “From a medical point of view, Philippe is in the perfect condition to play.”
Coutinho is now likely to start for Brazil in their match against Ecuador on Thursday night. Tite’s team then take on Colombia on September 5.
And then maybe we’ll see him in a Liverpool shirt again.
