Barcelona players would welcome Coutinho to Camp Nou
The Brazilian is good friends with Neymar and Luis Suarez
Barça hope Liverpool will agree to sell him this coming summer
Philippe Coutinho's possible move to Barcelona is simmering along. There's no rush, but there are no breaks, either. The most important thing is the Liverpool player now knows, and has done for a while, that Barça are interested. And Barça, meanwhile, know that the Brazilian wants to come.
Therefore, we have two paths that are surely due to cross at some point, when all the circumstances allow. The operation is not an easy one given he is one of Liverpool's best players. And like the majority of English clubs, they have no need to sell their top players.
Unless the offer is so attractive that the club can't turn it down and the player wants to leave -- as was the case three years ago when Barcelona signed Luis Suarez for 81 million euros.
Coutinho has developed as a player since making his debut as an 18-year-old at Inter. Now nearly 25 and after a loan spell with Espanyol and a move to Liverpool, he is a regular in the Brazil side and ready to take the next step in his career. He believes the ideal step is Barça. His profile is perfect for Camp Nou.
FIRST TEAM BACKING
Coutinho's arrival would be welcomed in the dressing room, where he has fans and friend. One of them, for obvious reasons, is Neymar, who he has played alongside with Brazil since youth levels. They're good friends.
However, he is also very close to Luis Suarez. Since Coutinho joined Liverpool in 2013, the Uruguayan has treared him like a little brother and helped him intergrate into life at Anfield. No-one would be happier than Suarez if Coutinho was signed.
When the first team talk about Coutinho they talk about a player with Barça DNA. And in the club, even though they feel Andres Iniesta has a lot to give, they feel Coutinho is one of the players with a profile who could eventually take over from the Barça captain.
He is one of the top targets for the summer, but the price is a problem. They have faith in the player to help push a deal through. A deal which would excite everyone associated with the club, as Barcelona need a player who can slot straight into the first team.
