Philippe Coutinho has struggled at Barcelona this season, scoring just six times across all competitions.
The former Liverpool star, who signed for the Catalan giants in a blockbuster £142million transfer 12 months ago has been linked with a move to Manchester United amid his Nou Camp shortcomings.
Coutinho’s agent has reportedly been contacted by Manchester United bigwigs as they explore ways to lure the player to Old Trafford.
But Valverde has dropped a major clue that the Brazilian will not be going anywhere this month.
Valverde has named the forward in his XI for today’s La Liga showdown with Eibar.
Barcelona have gone strong as they aim to continue their hunt for the Spanish title.
Marc Andre Ter-Stegen starts in goal.
Sergio Roberto, Clement Lenglet, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba make up the defence.
Coutinho then lines up in midfield alongside Arthur Melo, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.
And Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez lead the attack.
News of Coutinho’s selection suggests United will have their work cut out trying to sign the playmaker.
But La Liga expert Graham Hunter believes Coutinho is ‘down in the dumps’ over in Catalonia.
“Coutinho looks a bit down in the dumps, a little bit muddled,” Hunter told the Transfer Talk podcast.
“He’s not making the right choices on the ball and he’s not working hard enough.
“There have been periods during which Coutinho’s form, if anything, looked as good as it was at Liverpool and perhaps, in some instances, still better.
“His goal ratio was extraordinary and I don’t think his goal at ratio has ever been higher in his senior career.
“But as this team have developed this season, with Arthur, the young Brazilian, and Arturo Vidal, with Ivan Rakitic offering protection around Sergio Busquets, the midfield has become very, very populated.
“With the way Barcelona play, Coutinho is not a midfielder.
“He would have maybe been considered as a midfielder in the 4-3-3 he played in at Liverpool under Klopp but in midfield he looks like he doesn’t understand the way Barcelona play.”