Barcelona Transfer News: Fresh Philippe Coutinho Rumours, Latest on David Alaba

Barcelona star Neymar has spoken with Brazil team-mate Philippe Coutinho about the possibility of joining the Catalan giants and likewise recommended to his club they sign the Liverpool star.

That's according to UOL Esporte (h/t Catalan daily Sport), and the Blaugrana have reportedly been monitoring Coutinho's progress for some time.

The 24-year-old has notched six goals and as many assists in 14 appearances for Liverpool this season. The club have had an outstanding start to their campaign and sit first in the Premier League.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has praised his star playmaker:

Indeed, whereas Coutinho's consistency was often an issue earlier in his Liverpool career—he has long been capable of producing moments of genius, but all too often he would be otherwise ineffectual—he is now putting together a run of strong form.

Sky Sports' Fabrizio Romano showered him with praise after he netted for Brazil in their 3-0 win over Argentina:

"

Coutinho is one of the smartest players in the World. Every move on the pitch by Cou is full of intelligence (and class, of course). Great.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 11, 2016"

Bleacher Report UK's Jack Lusby is also an admirer, though he believes there's still plenty of room for improvement:

Coutinho has even managed to impress Barca legend Xavi Hernandez, who believes that while staying at Liverpool for the time being would be beneficial to Coutinho, he could make it at the Camp Nou.

Per Goal's Thomas Unsworth, he said:

"

Coutinho is a player I have always thought is special—but under Klopp he has gone up another level. On form there are not any better midfield players in Europe.

[...]

When you play at the level he is there is always going to be talk [of joining Barca], but for now he needs to ignore all that and stay focused, because I think Liverpool have a real chance this season.

There are not many players that can improve Barcelona, but if you are asking me if he is one of them, on this form, I think he is. Technically he is very good. He would suit Barcelona's philosophy well.

"

As Sport noted, a move in the immediate future looks unlikely due to the length of time remaining on his contract—over three years—and Liverpool's desire to keep him, but if he continues to perform as he has, then a move in the future could well come to pass.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Meanwhile, according to Sport's Maite Anton, Barcelona are interested in Bayern Munich star David Alaba and tried to sign him earlier this year.

However, the two parties reached an impasse because Alaba harbours ambitions of playing in midfield, whereas the Blaugrana wanted the Austrian to play as centre-back or left-back.

The versatile 24-year-old typically operates in the back line for Bayern but plays in midfield for his country.

As WhoScored.com revealed, Alaba is an accomplished passer of the ball:

He would be more than capable of playing in the centre for Barca—a testament to how excellent a player he is—but their desire to recruit him as a defender is understandable.

The Catalan giants already boast a midfield three of Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, but they've lacked the same level of quality at the back—particularly before the additions of Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne in the summer.

Alaba has since signed on at Bayern until 2021, so it could be some time before Barca revisit the possibility of recruiting him, if they ever do.