I Don’t Have To Worry About What Other Clubs Could Do – Ernesto Valverde

Ernesto Valverde has asked for respect to be shown to Liverpool and Philippe Coutinho amid reports that the Brazilian playmaker will move to Barcelona this month.

“Coutinho plays for another team,” the Barcelona coach said in a news conference. “He’s a good player, of course, but I like the players I have here right now much more. We don’t know what will happen in the future.”

“I have nothing to say on Coutinho,” he added. “He is not our player, he plays for another team. Let’s respect the club that he belongs to and respect him, too.”

Valverde was also asked about the future of Samuel Umtiti, with reports suggesting Manchester City will pay the defender’s €60m buyout clause.

“I don’t have to worry about what other clubs could do,” Valverde said. “What’s clear is that Umtiti is a great player and I hope we can continue to enjoy him here for many more years.”

“That’s how it is [in Spain], each player has their price,” Valverde responded when asked if he was against the buyout clauses every player in La Liga must have in their contract. “When they sign their contracts, those release clauses can seem really high. Then, two or three years later, it doesn’t seem that much.

“But we’re really happy with Umtiti and we think that he’s happy in Barcelona and hope that he’ll be here for a long time. These clauses exist but for them to be taken advantage of the player has to want to leave, too.”