Luis Suarez says Philippe Coutinho 'must be excited' to join Barcelona from Liverpool

Coutinho handed in a transfer request in the summer

Coutinho played with Suarez at Liverpool (Liverpool FC)

Luis Suarez has talked up Philippe Coutinho leaving Liverpool by saying he would “bring a lot” to Barcelona, who failed in their attempts to sign him in the summer.

Barca had three bids rejected for the Brazilian, with Liverpool always insistent that they would not sell, as they looked to fill the void created by Neymar’s world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Liverpool’s resolve looks like it will be tested again in January with Barcelona’s CEO Oscar Grau insisting that funds are available to bring in big-name recruits.

Coutinho is likely to be top of that list as the club know he wants to leave after he handed in a transfer request in the summer and Suarez has said his former teammate would be excited to come to the Nou Camp.

“I've spoken with Coutinho because I have a good relationship with him,” Suarez said. “Obviously he must be excited [to come to Barcelona] because he's a player with ambition and any player would want to come to Barcelona.

“It was a difficult moment [in the summer] but he's a professional and since [the transfer didn't happen] he has shown how good a player he is and the qualities he has a person. Despite trying to leave Liverpool, he's continued to help the team and work hard. He's showing himself to be a professional with the ambition to take a step forward [in his career].

“He would bring a lot to Barca. I know him as a person and a player because I played with him, but everyone knows what Coutinho could bring. He's a player at the top level.”