Barcelona maintain Philippe Coutinho interest

Spanish champions Barcelona have not given up on their pursuit of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazil international has enjoyed a good season with the Reds this term after having contributed 10 goals and six assists in 28 league outings.

His form had seen him rewarded with a new long-term deal earlier in the year, but this has not fended off the impending interest from Barcelona, Spanish outlet Sport claims.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has previously insisted that Coutinho will remain under the club's clutches for next season, but it is suggested that a fee of around £70m could be sufficient to prise away the attacker from Anfield.

Irrespective of this, Coutinho would have to receive a wage package close to his approximation while also being guaranteed a regular role in the starting lineup ahead of World Cup winner Andres Iniesta.

Earlier in March, Brazilian compatriot Neymar publicly suggested that he would like to play alongside Coutinho, and this has only heightened speculation over the playmaker's future in Merseyside.