Liverpool immediately reject Barcelona’s third bid of £118m for Philippe Coutinho
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Liverpool have reportedly rejected a third bid from FC Barcelona for Brazil international star Philippe Coutinho, according to Sky Sports.
The Premier League side, who drew 3-3 at Vicarage Road against Watford last weekend in their 2017-18 top-flight opener, have been linked with selling the central midfielder to the La Liga giants this summer transfer window, following Neymar’s world-record £200m move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The 25-year-old, who has 27 international caps for his country, has missed the club’s start to the season due to a back injury.
Coutinho, who arrived at Anfield back in January 2013 following his reported £8.5m switch from Serie A side Inter Milan, scored 14 goals and provided nine assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for The Reds last season, who finished fourth in the league table.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho (right) in action.
Having already turned down two previous offers from Barca for the Samba star, with the second bid worth up to £90m, the report suggests the Merseyside outfit instantly reject their third offer, which is thought to be worth up to £118m, including add-ons.
Liverpool insist Coutinho is not for sale ahead of the closure of the summer transfer window on August 31, despite the midfield maestro issuing the club an official transfer request last Friday.
He has netted 42 times in 181 games overall for The Reds.
Liverpool’s club-record sale currently stands at £75m, which was paid by Barcelona for forward Luis Suarez.