Former Barcelona star calls for club to sign Liverpool’s Coutinho

Former Barcelona attacker Ronaldinho believes that Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho should join the Catalan giants.

The Brazilian midfielder has been in superb form this season, earning himself a place in the PFA Team of the Year and winning Liverpool’s Player of the year award.

Ronaldinho, who spent several successful years with Barcelona, winning the Champions League during his time at the Camp Nou; has claimed that his former side should move for the Reds man after Xavi Hernandez called time on his career at the club.

“He has had a fantastic season,” Ronaldinho told the Daily Mail. “He has been one of the best midfield players in Europe. When you realise that he has been playing in a team that has not been performing well, that is an even bigger achievement.

“I can’t speak for him and I can’t speak for Barcelona, but I know what they look for in a player and he has all those qualities.

“After all those years at the club, Xavi has left and [Andres] Iniesta is now in his 30’s – they will need to address that. That is why I think Barcelona and Coutinho would be the perfect fit.”

Coutinho has played in La Liga before during a loan spell with Espanyol in 2012.