Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona latest, RB Leipzig deny early Naby Keita deal
A round-up of the latest transfer stories surrounding Anfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The future of Philippe Coutinho continues to dominate speculation surrounding Liverpool's January transfer business.
The Brazilian was left out of the squad for the late 2-1 win at Burnley on New Year’s Day and Jürgen Klopp later insisted that Coutinho’s omission was only due to a thigh injury.
Even so, Klopp’s team selection fuelled speculation in Spain that Coutinho could be on his way out of Anfield this month, with Mundo Deportivo claiming Barcelona are ready to offer €110m plus €40m in add-ons for the 25-year-old.
On Monday, The Daily Telegraph reported that the gaffe by Barcelona’s kit manufacturers Nike means Liverpool will ask for an “astronomical” fee from Barcelona before they even consider selling the player.
An advertisement on Nike’s official website invited customers to purchase a Barcelona shirt printed with Coutinho’s name, claiming the Liverpool player was “ready to light up Camp Nou”.
One man who is leaving Liverpool this month is Pep Lijnders, the club’s first-team development coach and a well-respected member of Klopp’s backroom staff who has helped build links between the senior squad and the youth teams at Melwood.
Lijnders is set to take up a management role in his native Holland, taking charge of Eerste Divisie outfit NEC Nijmegen and Klopp admitted that he is “gutted” to see his colleague leave Anfield.
“Firstly, I am gutted to be losing such a valuable member of our coaching team and such a brilliant person from our group,” the Liverpool manager said on Tuesday.
“But that is tempered by the fact I am very excited for him to have this opportunity and as much as we would have loved for him to remain with us, we cannot stand in his way for what is a fantastic opportunity.”
RB Leipzig, meanwhile, have quashed rumours suggesting that Naby Keita is agitating to move to Liverpool six months earlier than planned.
Keita will arrive on Merseyside in July as part of the £51m deal struck between the two clubs last summer but, with Leipzig eliminated from this season’s Champions League, it has been suggested that the move could be forced through in January.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Leipzig’s chief executive, dismissed those claims on Monday, telling Bild: “Neither Naby nor his agent have made the request to leave the club in the winter. There are contracts and they say that he will be a Liverpool employee from July 1 onwards.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments