Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Philippe Coutinho, Theo Walcott Rumours

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho could well make a future move to Barcelona, according to Sky Sports' Graham Hunter. 

Blaugrana star Neymar recently sparked rumours when he spoke of his admiration for his Brazil international team-mate and floated the idea of Coutinho joining the Catalans, per Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t BBC Sport): "I see many Brazilian players with quality today. But one I like and think could play here is Coutinho. He has the style of Barcelona."

While Hunter does not see an imminent move to Catalonia materialising for the 23-year-old Coutinho, he does see it as a possibility in the future:

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It makes sense. The players know each other. Coutinho has the skill-set and he's the right type of guy for the marketing that Barcelona like a lot indeed. It's something that you can see them coming back to but wages, price and availability are the problem. This is a story we'll be coming back to time and time again as this fella has the ability. At some stage Barcelona will have to look at that frontline of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez and think 'are they good enough?' The answer for many years to come from that question is yes. Coutinho is safe for the moment but one day at the Camp Nou? Yeah.

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Furthermore, Coutinho could well be open to a move to Barcelona if they come in for him, as Liverpool are currently struggling to compete at the top of the Premier League.

After a sixth-placed finish in the English top flight last season, Brendan Rodgers' team currently lie 13th after six games of the new campaign.

Having lost Raheem Sterling to Manchester City, Coutinho is now arguably the Reds' only top-class attacking talent.

Despite Hunter's assertions that Coutinho won't move "in the next couple of transfer markets," the La Liga giants may well pursue the Brazil international to add depth to their squad. And he could undoubtedly be tempted away from Anfield if Liverpool's performances do not improve.  

Coutinho would not come cheap at the moment as he only recently extended his contract on Merseyside until 2020, but financial matters have never previously hamstrung Barca in the transfer market—see the purchases of Suarez and Neymar.

Bogdan Maran/Associated Press

Arsenal's Theo Walcott is reportedly another Premier League star being pursued by Barcelona as they look to add depth to their attack in January after selling Pedro to Chelsea in the summer and losing Rafinha to a long-term injury, per Germany's Sport Bild (h/t Manolete in AS).

Barca are reportedly attracted by Walcott's versatility as he can play across the front three and in midfield, but La Liga expert Guillem Balague has rubbished the rumours:

Similarly, Hunter has questioned the move as Walcott is unlikely to be available to Barca as Arsenal would surely not sell him.

There is likely to be plenty of movement from Barcelona in January as their FIFA-imposed registration ban will have finally lifted. However, arrivals from the Premier League seem unlikely, at least for now.