Liverpool have said that Barcelona’s claims that they were quoted a price of €200 million for Philippe Coutinho are absolutely untrue.
Barcelona sporting director Robert and director Albert Soler told a news conference that Coutinho was too expensive and they were not prepared to get involved in a crazy market, despite reportedly being told the amount the Brazilian could go for with only hours left of the window.
“On Friday, after weeks of offers and talks, Liverpool put a price on the player that we wanted [Coutinho],” Soler said on Saturday.
“A price of €200m and we decided we wouldn’t do it. That’s an example of the way football is now. This club and this board will not get involved in that, though. What’s happened in the transfer market this summer has taken us to a totally different model of football which we’re not used to.”
Despite Liverpool ignoring three previous bids, Barca made a fourth offer for Coutinho late on Thursday, thought to be worth around €150m including add-ons, but were once again told the Brazil international was not going anywhere.
But Liverpool sources have insisted that the club’s position did not change; Coutinho was not for sale and Barcelona knew about the situation.
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