Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho 'has the level' to play for Barcelona, insists Brazil team-mate Neymar
- Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been recommended to Barcelona by their Brazilian striker Neymar
- The pair play international football together and Neymar would like to transfer that relationship to club level
- Coutinho could be seen as a cheaper option for Barca than Paul Pogba
- It's not too late to sign up for MailOnline's fantasy football game
Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Neymar has urged the club to sign Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho.
The pair play together for Brazil and when asked which international team-mate he would like to play alongside at club level Neymar said: 'Coutinho is a crack (top player) and I would like to play alongside him for Barcelona. He has the level to play for Barca'.
The 23-year-old forward's endorsement of the Liverpool midfielder will reverberate through both clubs.
Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has a shot at goal during the 1-1 draw with Norwich City
Neymar speaks at a commercial event for Gillette as he recommends Coutinho to Barcelona
Coutinho tussles for possession with Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey (left) at Anfield
Neymar (left) and Coutinho play their international football together for Brazil
Barcelona will almost certainly sign a midfielder at the end of this season with Paul Pogba already identified as a target.
Although Barcelona directors met with their Juventus counterparts this summer to make it clear to them they would pursue his signing at the end of the 2015-16 season, there is no pre-agreement in place and Coutinho would be a cheaper alternative.
Neymar played alongside Coutinho in Brazil at youth level and he is not the only Barcelona star who is a fan.
Coutinho's former Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez is also a big admirer of the Brazilian.
Liverpool have lost their best players in the last two summers with Suarez leaving for Barcelona in a £75m deal in 2014 and Raheem Sterling moving to Manchester City this summer for £49m.
Coutinho darts away from Canaries winger Nathan Redmond (left) during the match on Merseyside
Barca forward Luis Suarez vies for the ball with Roma's Lucas Digne during the Champions League clash
Speaking at a Gillette event Neymar also said he was growing up after his sending off and subsequent suspension at this summer's Copa America.
He said: I don't like not being able to play and not being able to help my team. I made a mistake and I have learned from it.'
Asked about his role in Barcelona's attempts this season to retain the Spanish League, Cup and European Cup Neymar said: 'I want to be even better this season but I want to help the team. The group comes first and individuals second.'
Neymar insists that he has matured as a player following his sending off at the Copa America
Neymar is confident that fellow countryman Coutinho has what it takes to pull on a Barca shirt
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