Despite reports this afternoon claiming Philippe Coutinho had handed in a transfer request, James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo says that those claims are wide of the mark.

Sky Sports broke the news that Coutinho had informed Liverpool that he wanted to leave the club this summer, but sources close to the club say that it’s simply not the case.

Barcelona have had several bids rejected for Coutinho already this summer as they look to replace Neymar, but Liverpool and the Fenway Sports Group are firm on their stance that they will not consider any bid for the 25-year-old and he’s strictly not for sale.

The club’s definitive stance is that no offers for Philippe will be considered and he will remain a member of Liverpool Football Club when the summer window closes.

It appears as if regardless of the offers on the table for the Brazilian, he will not be leaving Anfield this summer which will please Liverpool fans worldwide.

Barcelona are said to be targeting Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen as an alternative to Coutinho after being rebuffed in their attempts to sign him.