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Agent: 'Antoine Griezmann will not replace Philippe Coutinho at Barcelona'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 16 May 2019

Agent: 'Griezmann will not replace Coutinho at Barca'

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho rubbishes reports that the Catalan club will sign Antoine Griezmann as a direct replacement for his client.

The agent of Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has insisted that Antoine Griezmann will not replace his client at Camp Nou.

Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move away from the Spanish champions this summer as a result of his underwhelming form since joining from Liverpool in January 2018.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are reportedly interested in the Brazil international, and Griezmann's announcement that he will leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season increased speculation that Barcelona could look to cash in on Coutinho.

Griezmann publicly refused a move to Camp Nou last summer, but Barcelona are understood to have revived their interest in the Frenchman and are willing to pay his £104m release clause when it comes into effect on July 1.

However, Coutinho's agent Andrea Bertolucci has denied that any move for Griezmann would spell the end for his client in Catalonia.

"It's untrue that Griezmann is going to replace Philippe at Barcelona," Bertolucci told Spanish newspaper AS.

"I don't know why they are saying that. I don't know about that and that's why I don't want to talk anymore, but it's false."

Coutinho, who still has four years remaining on his contract with Barcelona, has scored 21 goals in 75 appearances for the club across all competitions.