Barcelona's interest in Philippe Coutinho takes a new turn

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By Danny Ryan

Published May 5, 2017

The Brazilian has been in brilliant form for Liverpool in recent weeks

For the latter stages of the 2016/17 season, rumours have circulated that Barcelona are keen on signing Liverpool's mercurial midfielder, Philippe Coutinho.

The former Inter Milan man has enjoyed a fantastic campaign, scoring ten goals and recording six assists in just 28 league games - the 24-year-old missed a portion of games at the start of the year because of an ankle injury.

Playing himself back into form over the last few months - including a virtuoso performance in the 3-1 win over Everton - Coutinho's value has increased, particularly as he signed a new contract in January.

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The Blaugrana seem to have taken these facts on board and are not said to be interested in signing the gifted playmaker.

That is according to respected Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague, who says that Jurgen Klopp should not worry about the rumoured advances of the La Liga giants.

He said, via Liverpool Echo: "There are more stories coming out that Barcelona want Coutinho and he is willing to go.

"I have no doubt he is willing to go, but Barcelona are not after him.

"It’s just moves the agents are making to try to convince Barcelona to move for him. But they do not want him."

The news will come as music to the ears of Liverpool fans as the Blaugrana have been the only elite club linked with the Brazilian so far.

The Reds look likely to partake in next season's Champions League and keeping Coutinho will be paramount if they're to succeed back in Europe's top-tier competition.

Alongside Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana, Klopp has a forward-thinking quartet that can match any other in Europe and selling any of them would be a huge step in the wrong direction.

Barcelona are known to be in the market for a midfielder of Coutinho's ability, a diminutive playmaker to be Andres Iniesta's rightful heir.

Tottenham's Christian Eriksen is reportedly a target while Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti - a more pragmatic midfielder - is also rumoured to have been approached by the club.