You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Barcelona have no interest in Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho , according to respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague.

Reports in Spain earlier this week claimed that the La Liga leaders were weighing up a move for the Reds' Brazil international this summer, with a player-plus-cash deal reported in Sport.

Liverpool have no intention of letting one of their stars leave this summer, and the gifted playmaker professed his happiness at Anfield and gratitude to the club, after he signed a new contract back in January .

And speaking in a Q&A session with Sky Sports on Friday, Balague revealed that Barca have no interest in pursuing a deal for Liverpool's No.10.

He said: "There are more stories coming out that Barcelona want Coutinho and he is willing to go.

"I have no doubt he is willing to go, but Barcelona are not after him.

(Image: James Perrin)

"It’s just moves the agents are making to try to convince Barcelona to move for him. But they do not want him."

Coutinho endured something of a slump in fortunes after returning from a two-month lay-off with an ankle injury in January, before playing his way back into form in sensational style last month.

His impressive displays throughout April were rewarded with the club's Player of the Month gong on Friday.

Coutinho was withdrawn early on in the 1-0 win against Watford on Monday with a dead leg, but is expected to play a part when Southampton visit Anfield on Sunday.