Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Philippe Coutinho and Ben Gibson

Barcelona are set to step up their interest in signing Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

That's according to Sport (h/t Football Espana), which suggested that the Blaugrana want to make "a market statement" by landing the diminutive Brazilian in the summer. It's added that the Camp Nou club views Coutinho as "the player with the best Barca profile that currently exists in the market."

Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be keen on the player, although the Brazilian would reportedly prefer a move to La Liga.

Here is a look at how Sport covered the story, per Twitter account Catalan Edition:

"

Cover | "Coutinho operation in progress." [sport] pic.twitter.com/hdLCU230zC

— Catalan Edition (@CatalanEdition) March 25, 2017"

Coutinho's Brazil team-mate Neymar, of Barcelona, also suggested recently that the playmaker would excel at the Camp Nou. 

"A Premier League player that I would like to have in Barcelona is Coutinho," he said, per Joe Strange of the MailOnline. "I believe Philippe Coutinho is a player that would totally fit in Barcelona."

Given his technique, cerebral sharpness and penchant for producing spectacular moments, the Liverpool man ticks a lot of boxes for what's needed from a Barcelona midfielder. However, those moments have been rare in a red shirt in 2017.

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As noted by Dominic King of the Daily Mail, the Brazilian has struggled to find his best form since picking up an injury problem toward the end of last year:

Even so, there is no disputing the quality of the Liverpool man, who has been one of the most effective attacking midfielders in the Premier League since he joined from Inter Milan in 2013. His position at Anfield is secure too, having signed a new five-year contract with the club in January.

It means that Barcelona, who snapped up Luis Suarez from Liverpool in 2014, would have to pay an extraordinary sum of money if they wanted to prise the 24-year-old away from Merseyside. The Reds, as a result, hold all the aces.

Reds In for Ben Gibson

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According to Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, Liverpool are one of a clutch of Premier League clubs considering a move for Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson.

It's reported that as well as the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been impressed by the 24-year-old's form this season. Boro are said to value the defender at around £25 million.

Mokbel hinted that the Reds have an edge in the chase, though: "Former Boro and England defender Jonathan Woodgate could hold the key to a potential switch to Liverpool. Woodgate, now a scout at Anfield, has formed a close bond with Gibson given his connection to the Riverside [Stadium], and the former Real Madrid defender is a huge fan of the new England player."

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Gibson was recently called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad following an injury to Chris Smalling. Per WhoScored.com, he's a tough man to get the better of:

Commanding in the air, composed in his distribution and exceptional in his positional play, Gibson has been a shining light for Boro on their return to the Premier League. Only five teams in the division have a better defensive record than the north-east outfit, and their star defender has been crucial to that.

For Liverpool, Gibson's acquisition would make a lot of sense. As a left-sided player, he would be an excellent partner for Joel Matip or Dejan Lovren and still have room to improve into one of the Premier League's standout defenders.