Report: Philippe Coutinho submits transfer request from Liverpool
After Fenway Sports Group issued a statement saying Philippe Coutinho was going nowhere this summer, the Brazilian reportedly submitted an official request.
Earlier today, the owners of Liverpool issued a statement confirming that Philippe Coutinho would not be leaving the club this summer. Before the day was out though, reports emerged that the Brazilian had submitted a transfer request. This is starting to get ridiculous.
This is starting to get ridiculous.
Philippe Coutinho tells Liverpool he wants to leave the club for Barcelona, handing in an official transfer request. https://t.co/MVKq0JX2kf pic.twitter.com/aSP4C8zcq5
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 11, 2017
Coutinho reportedly emailed the club directly this afternoon to submit his request. Fenway Sports Group could now be left with egg on their faces. They are firm that he is still not for sale though and said so even after Coutinho asked to leave.
Coutinho made the transfer request via email around 1pm today. #LFC adamant that it changes nothing and he won't be sold.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) August 11, 2017
Sky Sports News are claiming to have a quote from a relative of Coutinho, albeit an unnamed one so take the quote with a pinch of salt:
"“Philippe has tried very hard to find an amicable solution but to no avail. He has tremendous love for the club and fans but, like Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez have pointed out in the past, Liverpool does not let its players leave on amicable terms.”"
With the Reds kicking off their 2017-18 Premier League campaign on Saturday, the timing of this couldn’t be much worse. Coutinho was not due to play at Watford anyway due to injury. Cynics will obviously now wonder about the legitimacy of that issue. Now that he has confirmed he wants to leave, the Brazilian will not want to pick up a serious injury by playing competitive matches.
Next: Premier League 2017-18 season preview
The timing is also bad as if he were to move now it leaves little time to secure a replacement. Liverpool have bid for Naby Keita, and signing him would certainly placate the fans. The Guinean’s club Leipzig insists he is not for sale though. We shall soon see if such stances mean anything anymore.