Kia Joorabchian, the agent of Philippe Coutinho, has slammed Barcelona for promising the player that he will remain at the club, while secretly trying to include him in a deal for Neymar.
Coutinho has struggled to live up to expectations since his £100million transfer from Liverpool in January 2018.
In his first full season at the Camp Nou, the Brazilian scored just five La Liga goals and provided two assists.
Coutinho has been linked with Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
Joorabchian has however attempted to shut down transfer talk, insisting the Barca president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, told Coutinho that the Catalan club have no intention of selling him ahead of the new season.
“The president [Bartomeu] was clear: he had no intention of selling the player, to any club.
“With that, and out of respect for Barcelona’s decision to keep him, we chose not to look at the market for our player and we have not offered the player to other clubs.
“But I learned, and it’s a fact, that Andre Cury is saying totally different things. Andre Cury is pushing for Coutinho to be included in the transfer for Neymar.
“As I said, Coutinho has no offer from any other clubs because we respected Barcelona’s decision, but they do not respect the word they gave to us.
“We have been silent in this period, but it will not be allowed for Barcelona to lie about the player. They must tell the truth!
“And if they want Coutinho to leave, they have to say it. With the player, we will decide what is best for his future,” Joorabchian told RMC Sport.
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