Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Philippe Coutinho and Marco Verratti

Barcelona will look to strengthen their midfield options with the signing of either Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho or Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti in the summer.

That's according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t James Dutton of MailOnline), in which it's suggested the Blaugrana are big admirers of both players. The duo—both 24, technical and high-profile—are said to tick a lot of different boxes for the Spanish champions.

As relayed by the Kilas Barca Twitter account, here's how Mundo Deportivo reported the story that Barca will chase one of the two midfield stars:

"

Cover | "Verratti or Coutinho." [MD] pic.twitter.com/2HjKTAQYOi

— Kilas Barça (@KilasBarca) March 19, 2017"

Given manager Luis Enrique has struggled to find balance in the middle of the park for much of the 2016-17 season, it's no surprise to see Barcelona linked with two players of this ilk.

Coutinho has long been a key man at Anfield. Since arriving from Inter Milan in 2013, he's developed his game season after season and is rated among the finest attacking midfielders in the Premier League.

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

The Brazilian has been at his best this season when stationed in a role on the left flank but given freedom to drift infield, exchange passes with compatriot Roberto Firmino and fire off shots from distance.

However, as noted by Football365 via Twitter, since returning from an injury layoff, the Liverpool man has struggled to show his best form:

While Coutinho can operate in a variety of different positions, Verratti is very much a central midfielder—but he's superb in the role.

The Italy international is the metronome in the middle of the PSG team. On the ball, he's so decisive and inventive, and his quick feet allow him to shuffle away from pressure like a nimble quarterback. His dynamism out of possession sets the tempo in the middle of the park for a pressing team.

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

His attributes align brilliantly with all the traits you'd expect from a Barcelona midfielder. And while he was poor during the Blaugrana's incredible 6-1 win over PSG in the UEFA Champions League recently, in the first leg, a 4-0 win, Verratti ran the show, per Bleacher Report UK:

Traditionally, Barca have been strong in the middle of the park, although there have been times this season when this area of the team has looked flimsy.

Sergio Busquets' form has fluctuated, Andres Iniesta has suffered with injury problems and Ivan Rakitic has been in and out of the side. Meanwhile, big-money summer signing Andre Gomes has struggled to make an impact.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Even though Barca also have Rafinha Alcantara, Denis Suarez and Arda Turan to call upon in the middle of the park, it feels as though some fresh blood is needed in this area of the team and that's something Coutinho or Verratti would offer. Here's a look at how they compare statistically to Iniesta in league matches this season:

	Iniesta	Coutinho	Verratti
Apps (Sub)	7 (7)	19 (2)	17 (3)
Goals	0	6	2
Assists	3	5	4
Shots per game	0.8	3.3	0.3
Key passes per game	1.1	2.1	2.4
Dribbles per game	1.5	2	1.4
Passing accuracy	87.2%	82.9 %	89.5 %

Although Barcelona would represent a tantalising prospect for any footballer, singing either aforementioned player would be tricky for the Blaugrana given how crucial both are to their respective teams.

Liverpool are under no pressure to sell Coutinho, with the player signing a new five-year contract in January. Verratti also agreed fresh terms with PSG ahead of the campaign and is tied down until 2021. But if Barcelona want to improve what is already a star-studded midfield, they will be aware of the need to spend a lot of money.