Neymar Says Philippe Coutinho Would 'Totally Fit' at Barcelona

Barcelona star Neymar believes Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho would be an ideal fit for the Camp Nou giants.

The pair play together for the Brazil national team, and Neymar is clearly eager for his compatriot to join him at Barca, per MailOnline's Joe Strange. 

"A Premier League player I would like to have in Barcelona is Coutinho," Neymar said. "I believe Philippe Coutinho is a player who would totally fit in Barcelona."

Coutinho, 24, has a contract with Liverpool to 2022, but he has been linked with a move to Barca before, with a recent Mundo Deportivo report suggesting the Spanish club could pursue him this summer (via MailOnline's James Dutton).

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It is not the first time Neymar, 25, has namechecked Coutinho when discussing who he would like to play alongside at Barca, with BBC Sport reporting such comments as long ago as September 2015.

Coutinho has been one of Liverpool's key players since he moved to Anfield from Inter Milan for £8.5 million in 2013.

He has enjoyed a mixed campaign in 2016-17—he started the season brilliantly but has been far from his best of late—and contributed six Premier League goals and five assists in 22 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Season	Apps	Mins	Goals	Assists
2016-17	20(2)	1599	6	5
2015-16	24(2)	2005	8	5
2014-15	32(3)	2801	5	5
2013-14	28(5)	2338	5	7
2012-13	12(1)	933	3	5

The Brazilian further committed his future to Liverpool in January by penning a new long-term deal, and Liverpool would be loath to let him leave the club.

However, it is possible Coutinho could be tempted by a move to Barca. He has won no silverware during his time at Anfield, and the best the Reds can hope for this season is a top-four Premier League finish, which is far from guaranteed.

Barca, meanwhile, consistently compete for La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League.

As Neymar noted, Coutinho has enough quality to play for Barcelona and fight for the silverware at the Camp Nou that is not on offer at Anfield.

Despite his recent commitment to the club, Liverpool may have to brace themselves for a Barca pursuit of Coutinho in the summer.