Philippe Coutinho Talks 'Dream' Barcelona Transfer, Playing with 'Idols'

New Barcelona recruit Philippe Coutinho has called his move to the Camp Nou from Liverpool "a dream" and described his incredulity at having an opportunity to "live with idols."

The Brazil international, 25, completed a transfer to Barcelona on Saturday which could cost the Catalan club as much as £142 million if all add-ons are triggered, and he told Barca TV of his excitement at the move (h/t Press Association, via Guardian):

"I'm very happy, very happy. I have always said that it is a dream that I am living and I am very happy to be here. To be able to play, win titles, make the fans happy ... always play with joy. It is incredible to know that I am going to live with idols; players with a lot of history.

"Footballers like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, [Andres] Iniesta, [Gerard] Pique, [Sergio] Busquets. I am very happy to be able to live together, to be able to learn from them and be able to win together."

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Coutinho could end up being the successor to 33-year-old Iniesta, and he'll now have time playing alongside the Barca icon to absorb as much experience and knowledge as possible.

Coutinho was unveiled as a Barcelona player in a short photograph session on Sunday, but he'll be presented officially to supporters at the Camp Nou on Monday morning.

Liverpool's club-record sale has earned the Reds a massive profit, having joined from Inter Milan in January 2013 for only £8.5 million, but the Merseysiders were nonetheless pained to sell their star.

Barca's financial muscle was ultimately too much to resist, though, and after purchasing Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in the summer for a sum that could rise to around £128.5 million, they've spent big again to enhance their prospects.

The scary thought for rivals Real Madrid is that Barca already sit nine points clear at La Liga's summit and are 16 points above Los Merengues, with Coutinho's arrival only likely to boost them further.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has also spoken positively of what Coutinho can contribute to the club's cause following his arrival, per the Guardian:

"I think he can bring us a lot of things. Coutinho scores goals, assists, he can play both inside and outside. I have seen him play in many positions both for Liverpool and in his national team.

"After taking a long break, he is already with us, we hope he will help us and we will wait to see him train for at least one day to assess his condition."

Barca play Celta Vigo in the second leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie on Thursday, but Coutinho is more likely to make his debut in Sunday's league clash at Real Sociedad.