'Coutinho won't leave in January, but next summer is a different story'

Speculation had mounted in recent weeks that the Catalan side could return for the Brazilian when the January transfer window opens, having seen a number of bids turned down during the summer, but according to Balague they would be wasting their time.

Speaking to 'Sky Sports', Balague said that Coutinho is unlikely to go anywhere in January, whilst also admitting that Barca's public approach is unlikely to convince Liverpool to let the player leave.

"Quite clearly Barcelona aren't helping their own case if they want to get Coutinho," he explained.

"We do know that Coutinho wanted to go to Barcelona, there was a plan for him to do so. Oscar Grau, the CEO Barcelona has basically said 'if we needed money to get Coutinho, we do have the money' and of course that started a new round of rumours.

"We know Barcelona want Coutinho. They will realise in the next month or so, with games against Atletico Madrid and Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao that they still need this kind of quality in their line up or for the squad.

"I don't see Liverpool getting rid of Coutinho in January at all, but summer is a completely different story."

Liverpool fans have been left furious by Barca's public approach and Balague says that thy are entitled to feel that way, saying: "I completely understand why Liverpool fans feel Barcelona are being disrespectful. Was there a need to talk about Coutinho in a press conference related to the club's budget?

"Does he want to go still? It seems so if you follow those journalists close to the Brazilian clan who are the ones pushing the stories of his move to Barcelona and fabricated so much this summer.

"But it is quite clear that Barcelona do feel they need a strong midfielder in the Marco Veratti mould, a strong player like Coutinho.

"Remember though, it may not be a Coutinho. They have the money to get a Griezmann, who is another target for next season. January? No."