MX23RW : Wednesday, November 6 01:43:24| >> :120:11167:11167:

Barcelona president rules out Philippe Coutinho exit

Barcelona president rules out Coutinho exit
© Reuters
The Brazilian is understood to have a release clause in his Barca contract set at £355million.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is adamant that Philippe Coutinho will not be leaving the Nou Camp this summer despite rumoured interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Coutinho joined Barca from Liverpool for £142million in January last year but the 26-year-old has not had the same kind of impact as he had during his time with the Reds, resulting in speculation of a move away.

Bartomeu, however, has made it clear Coutinho is part of manager Ernesto Valverde's plans – unless a club triggers the midfielder's release clause, rumoured to be a staggering £355million.

Speaking to Spanish television station TVE, Bartomeu said: "Coutinho is an excellent player and he has the coach's confidence.

"He has a contract with us and he will remain at the team, unless they (another club) meet his release clause."

Bartomeu has also rejected suggestions his club will move to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp less than two years after he joined Paris St Germain for a world record fee of £200million.

Barca used the money to purchase Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund, with Bartomeu hailing the striker.

Bartomeu added: "It's not possible for Neymar to come to Barcelona as we have another sporting project with Dembele and Coutinho. We are happy with what we have.

"Dembele is a good professional player. He is a young guy who arrived at a huge club and that's not easy, but he has adapted and he is much better than Neymar."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'ba745354-ef35-4a12-bc86-e01438aa0de2');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Coutinho going nowhere this summer \u2013 Barcelona president Bartomeu'});

ID:356437: cacheID:356437:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3886:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Philippe Coutinho in action for Barcelona on March 9, 2019
Read Next:
Coutinho 'rules out United move, Chelsea interested'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!