Barcelona aren’t exactly hiding the fact that they want to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho in the near future.

Players past and present have been dropping some fairly obvious hints that they’re keen the bring the Brazilian to the Camp Nou.

First, it was Ronaldinho, who said: “I hope when he (Coutinho) returns from injury that he will continue the form he has been showing all season with Liverpool.

“He has been one of the stand-out players in Europe this season – and I know there is a lot of admiration of him at Barcelona.

“Liverpool will want to keep him, they have built the team around him.

“But when you play at that level then there is always interest.”

Rivaldo on Coutinho

Then, Rivaldo got involved when he claimed: "In my opinion, he's a great player and a player who knows Neymar well. I think they are both friends - players who stand out.

"I think that this transfer might happen because Barcelona is always going to attract the best, isn't it?

"He is one of the players who stands out and I believe that this transfer - if he goes to Barcelona - would be a good thing for Barcelona for sure.

"He is a player who would definitely help Barcelona. Of course, Barcelona is a big club, but with a player like him, it would definitely be a big help."

Neymar on Coutinho

And, earlier this week, his current Brazil teammate, Neymar, was the latest to endorse him. The Barcelona forward said: "A Premier League player that I would like to have in Barcelona is Coutinho.

"I believe Philippe Coutinho is a player that would totally fit in Barcelona."

When you’ve got three top quality players like that urging him to sign for Barcelona, it could be very difficult for Liverpool to keep him at the club.

Coutinho wants Barca move

And Spanish outlet, Sport, have produced a report that will seriously worry Liverpool fans.

They claim that Barca have made the midfielder a top target and that he's decided he “would love to wear Barcelona colours”.

Whether that will be this summer or in a couple of years time remains to be seen.

Sport go on to say that Coutinho’s representatives have a good relationship with the La Liga giants and have visited the club on various occasions.

In fact, Barcelona chiefs and Coutinho’s team have had numerous meetings recently with Blaugrana declaring their interest in him.

They believe that Coutinho’s style is the closest profile to what they want at the club with them having no doubt about his quality and international experience.

Coutinho also understands that he may not win league titles or the Champions League at Anfield and would certainly be open to a move. Paris Saint-Germain have already had advances rejected with Coutinho not interested, but it seems a move to Barcelona could be too good to turn down.