Barcelona Still “Hoping” Liverpool Decide to Sell Coutinho

Despite earlier reports—chatter in the Catalan press that was quickly picked up and amplified by England’s tabloids—Barcelona planned to announce Philippe Coutinho by 7PM tonight, it turns out that that isn’t true. I know, we’re all shocked, too.

A deal isn’t done, and a fourth bid has not been submitted and may never be. But there remains hope in Catalonia. Hope that Liverpool will signal to Barcelona that things have changed and that they’re now willing to do a deal and sell Coutinho.

If that happens, then, Barcelona are ready. Ready with their unsent fourth offer believed to be in the region of €160M. Ready to swoop for the Brazilian star. But it’s not likely to happen given Liverpool are still saying he’s not for sale.

Every journalist with ties to the club continue to insist that they are being told he isn’t for sale. The club’s CEO recently took to social media to mock the idea he could be sold. Barcelona, then, look to be left with nothing more than hope.

Hope and, when the transfer window does shut—a day later in Spain than in England—almost certainly no Philippe Coutinho.