Barcelona chief Fernandez: Liverpool’s Coutinho

However technical director Robert Fernandez does point to the talent already in the squad as a reason to be diligent in their recruitment.

Coutinho’s compatriot and friend Neymar is one of the Catalan club’s star men, and he has openly said he would welcome the arrival of Liverpool’s 23-year-old (via SPORT).

The Catalan club will finally be able to see signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal in a Barcelona shirt in January following their transfer ban for breaching rules for signing global players under the age of 18.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard recently added to the speculation after writing in his autobiography that his former teammate is destined to move to the Champions League victor or Real Madrid – following the footsteps of other stars like Luis Suarez or Raheem Sterling who left Anfield in recent years to make the step forward in the fight for titles. “I heard what Neymar said but I want to do well with Liverpool“.

According to the report, the only thing scuppering the move now is the price of Coutinho, with the tricky Brazilian likely to cost Barca a hefty fee, and while a new manager will come in too, a deal is not imminent.

“It isn’t easy to find players who are capable of playing for Barca”.