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Andres Iniesta welcomes Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona - but issues warning
ANDRES INIESTA insists he will not be dislodged from the Barcelona side by Philippe Coutinho.
Barcelona want to sign Philippe Coutinho possibly to replace Andres Iniesta
Coutinho is expected to join Barcelona when the January transfer window opens.
Reports in Spain claim Barca have settled on a contract with Coutinho’s representatives.
The final piece in the jigsaw now is to get Liverpool on board, with a £135million bid proposed.
And the growing feeling at the Nou Camp is that Coutinho will be donning a Barca shirt come the New Year.
Coutinho has been targeted as a proposed replacement for Iniesta, who at 33 is entering the twilight of his career.
I do not see him as my competition
The Spaniard recently signed a new contract at Barca but there are claims he could be set to join a club in the Chinese Super League.
The World Cup winner has, however, refuted suggestions he will be ousted from the side if Coutinho joins the La Liga leaders.
“I see him as a great associative player, with a lot of talent, who uses both feet, makes goals, combines very well and plays between the midfield and the forwards,” Iniesta said.
“He is a player with a profile quite like ours and would be a great signing if he finally arrives.
“I do not see him as my competition but as a boost for the club.”
Andres Iniesta is a mainstay in the Barcelona midfield
Philippe Coutinho dodges question on Liverpool future
Coutinho could play further forward than Iniesta at Barcelona, joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in a three-pronged attack.
But Barca have changed tact since Neymar was sold to PSG in the summer for £200m and his replacement Ousmane Dembele got injured.
Manager Ernesto Valverde is not averse to switching to a 4-4-2 system, meaning Coutinho may be edged out wide if he does join Barca.
Liverpool rejected three bids for him in the summer and included him in their Champions League squad for the group stage.
It means he would be cup tied from European competition for the rest of the season if a move to Barca goes through.
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