Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed claims that a deal for wantaway playmaker Philippe Coutinho is close to completion.
The club have rejected two bids from Barcelona, the last 100million euros (£90.9m), and a week ago issued a defiant statement insisting no offers would be considered and the player would remain at the club beyond the summer window.
Coutinho, who is currently sidelined with a back injury, immediately handed in a transfer request and after Wednesday night’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid Pep Segura, Liverpool’s former academy technical manager and now Barcelona’s general manager, told Catalan television station TV3: “We are close to Coutinho and (Ousmane) Dembele.
“We are discussing their deals but do not know when it will be done.” Asked if he expected them to sign, he added: “Yes, we expect it.”
However, Klopp is adamant there have been no more developments and the two clubs are not even in discussions.
“I saw the game (Real-Barcelona) but I forgot to watch the interviews afterwards. Nothing to say from our side,” said the Reds boss.
“I don’t know why other people are saying what they are saying; I don’t even know them – especially this guy, I’ve never even met him.”
Asked whether there had been any subsequent talks Klopp added: “I am not sure I have to answer this only because we have said what we have to say, or the club said what we have to say.
“No news from me because no-one told me anything different since we spoke last time about this.”