PHILIPPE COUTINHO'S agent has admitted a move to Manchester United is "near impossible" because he only wants to return to Liverpool.
Kia Joorabchian confirmed that the Barcelona midfielder would "find it hard" to play for any other Premier League club.
The Brazilian has been linked with a return to England after failing to live up to expectations at the Nou Camp.
Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT, his agent addressed the rumours suggesting he could join one of Liverpool's rivals.
He said: "Manchester United is a great club, I have players there and I have all the respect for them, but as far as Philippe goes it would be an extremely difficult to a near-impossible move.
"I would be very difficult for Philippe to play for any of Liverpool's rivals, because he has such a great affinity towards Liverpool. His time there was fantastic.
"Yes, but like all big players at some point, you want to experience a different thing in your career because your career is very short.
"But it [his Anfield exit] has no reflection on the fact his heart and affinity is very much with Liverpool.
"I know he was cheering every time they had the chance. Lucas Leiva is the same way.
COUT IN THE MIDDLE
"A lot of these guys who leave Liverpool remain Liverpool fans because of the fans and the passion they have.
"So it would be hard for him to go to a rival.
"Every time we've spoken about it we've had that same conversation, he would find it hard to play for another club in the Premier League."
Liverpool look set to beat United to his signature by offering him the chance to sign a two-year loan deal.
Coutinho joined the Spanish club for £145m in January 2018, but he is set to be sold to boost the club's transfer funds.
Barcelona are still paying off his incredible transfer fee and were forced to take out £31.5m loan to buy Antoine Griezmann.
In response to the latest Liverpool rumours, Joorabchian said: "I don't know about these stories.
"Bartomeu was very clear with me, saying he doesn't want the player to leave and he has a future there.
"They made a tremendous effort to bring him over, he is Barcelona's most expensive signing in history and the second or third most expensive signing in the world.
"He had an amazing Copa America, he was rated in the team of the Copa America, he won the Copa America with Brazil and he's won three trophies since he's been at Barcelona in the last two years – so he's had a great time there.
"As things happen in football, sometimes players feel a bit uncomfortable about somewhere, sometimes it's the clubs that just don't quite fit.
"If that happens obviously we'll decide what's best for Philippe, but at the moment we're being told that's not happening, it's fine."
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