Barcelona hold talks with Liverpool over Philippe Coutinho deal

Spanish giants Barcelona have held discussions with Premier League outfit Liverpool about signing Philippe Coutinho this summer, according to Sport.

The 24-year-old has been in excellent form for the Reds in recent weeks, netting three goals in his last three league games, including a stunning solo goal in a man-of-the-match display to inspire Jurgen Klopp’s men to a 3-1 win over Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield.

Coutinho has scored nine goals and laid on six assists in 25 Premier League appearances this term, and although he clearly struggled to find his best form following an ankle injury he picked up in November, there’s little doubt that he beginning to hit his stride once again.

And it is form that has once again alerted Luis Enrique’s Barcelona, who have been linked with a move for the Brazil international for some time now.

Yet it appears that they are starting the ball rolling by holding talks with the Premier League side over a potential deal for Coutinho, whose compatriot Neymar has reportedly said that he would ‘like to have’ at the club in the near future.

Enrique’s Catalans have had a tough season thus far, and face the prospect of missing out on the La Liga title and the Champions League crown given that they trail rivals Real Madrid by three points in the league having played a game more, and are 3-0 down to Juventus in their European quarter-final.

However, they are clearly looking to state their intentions ahead of next season, with the signing of Liverpool’s Coutinho one of their main priorities this summer.