Barcelona look to sign Philippe Coutinho or Marco Verratti to replace Andres Iniesta in the summer
Barcelona are aware that Coutinho's price-tag would be 'astronomical' but are desperate to sign a world-renowned midfielder after Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez both flopped
BARCELONA are set to make a shock move for Philippe Coutinho in the summer, according to reports in Spain.
According to , the club have decided the time has come to replace 32-year-old captain Andres Iniesta.
Iniesta has been plagued by injuries and summer signings Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez have been unable to fill the void.
Keep up to date with ALL the Liverpool news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
The Catalans are now looking to bring in a proven world class midfielder, rather than waiting for up and coming youngsters to make the grade.
Along with Coutinho, PSG's Marco Verratti is set to be a target, and the two players' 'astronomical' price tags are unlikely to put Barca off.
MOST READ IN SPORT
Verratti is suing French newspaper l'Equipe for claiming he went out clubbing two days before the Parisians 6-1 drubbing at the Nou Camp.
And some sources believe the episode has irritated him so much he is considering leaving France altogether.
Meanwhile the Spanish champions are impressed with Coutinho's ability to bring the best out of Neymar.
The two players starred with Gabriel Jesus in a Brazil front three that thumped Lionel Messi's Argentina 3-0 in November.
And Coutinho is well known at Barcelona after spending six months on loan from Inter Milan at their city rivals Espanyol in 2012.
Barca could also attempt to bring back former star Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.