Balague: Barcelona have ended their Coutinho pursuit

Barcelona’s pursuit of Philippe Coutinho is over.

Liverpool have stood firm on their stance that the Brazilian playmaker will not be leaving Anfield this summer and it appears they will be getting their way despite several bids from Barcelona.

The La Liga side submitted a bid worth a total of £118m for the 25-year-old last week, an offer that was immediately rejected by Liverpool, but Barcelona gave the Reds until last night to change their mind – and they didn’t.

Guillem Balague has said that this is the end of Barcelona’s pursuit of the Brazilian, at least for this summer.

I think Liverpool have got no intention of answering that email from Barcelona, which in theory means that’s the end of that, the end of the story of Coutinho moving to Barcelona.

Liverpool have survived without the attacking midfielder so far, unbeaten in their two Premier League games and in pole position to qualify for the Champions League group stages. Use these free bets to back the Reds in their next outing against Hoffenheim on Wednesday.

Barcelona will now look to sign Ousmane Dembele from Dortmund after being knocked back for good in their pursuit of Coutinho.