KopTalk – Liverpool FC News Liverpool FC news brought to you by KopTalk, the ultimate Liverpool FC website
Liverpool will push to include Ivan Rakitić in any deal with Barcelona if they are forced into allowing Philippe Coutinho to leave, claim reports originating from Spain today.
It is claimed that Reds’ boss Jürgen Klopp is interested in recruiting the 29-year-old Croatian midfielder to help soften the blow of Coutinho’s exit should it come to that.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have stated publicly that the Brazilian is not for sale and will not be allowed to leave the club during the summer transfer window but the speculation continues to rumble on.
<<– Buy football club shares online –>>
The Liverpool manager also continues to state that Coutinho isn’t for sale, however much will depend on whether or not Barcelona return with an offer in excess of £100million because that could prove difficult to turn down, especially with the player pleading to be allowed to complete a dream transfer to the Nou Camp.
Today’s claims about Rakitić seem quite speculative so we wouldn’t pay too much attention to them. As for Coutinho, he’s going to have to sit tight a little longer to see just how much Barcelona want him.
KopTalk sources on the members’ website claim that Liverpool will allow Coutinho to make the switch to Barcelona next year providing an agreement is put in place this month that they cannot later back out of. If Barcelona want him now, they’re going to have to increase their offer significantly.