Philippe Coutinho will not be sold by Barcelona this summer. The Brazilian’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, met with the club on Wednesday and says he was categorically told by its president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, that Coutinho’s future remained at the Nou Camp and he was not considering selling him.

In an interview with Telegraph Sport, Joorabchian revealed that he had asked Bartomeu directly whether the persistent rumours that Barcelona wanted Coutinho out were true, with reports continually linking him to Paris Saint-Germain or even a return to the Premier League. “I was told they have no intention of selling him, that Barcelona have not spoken to anyone and that stories to the contrary are simply not true,” Joorabchian said, emphatically.

“I will not let people talk about Philippe and put him down because for one-and-a-half years we have said nothing. I won’t let them do that and all of us in Philippe’s camp will not let that happen because Barcelona have told us he is staying.”

The stories are out there, though, with the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo even claiming on Saturday that Barcelona have not received any offers for Coutinho but, according to Joorabchian, Barcelona have said this is because he is simply not for sale and they will not entertain any approaches.