Brazil legend tells Philippe Coutinho to snub Barcelona and remain with Liverpool

Brazil legend Lucio has told Philippe Coutinho to stay at Liverpool and snub a move to Barcelona.

Barcelona have admitted they are keeping tabs on the trickster and could make a move for him in the new year.

The European giants are able to sign players in 2016 when the club’s transfer embargo ends and see the attacker as a perfect fit for their club.

Neymar had set the rumour mill into overdrive when he said Barca should sign his Brazilian teammate.

Coutinho is under contract at Anfield until 2020, but the prospect of a switch to Barcelona could be hard for him to turn down.

Despite this though, the player’s agent Kia Joorabchian says a move will not happen with him more than happy at Anfield.

“Philippe is extremely happy at Liverpool,” Joorabchian told the Daily Mail.

“He signed a new long term contract towards the end of last season that represents his ambition and his feeling for Liverpool.”

And now Lucio has waded into the debate by saying that with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, Coutinho is better off staying where he is rather than playing second fiddle to those stars.

“If it was my decision, I would stay. If I was Coutinho, I would not leave Liverpool,” Lucio was quoted by the Mirror.

“Barcelona have several star players like [Lionel] Messi, [Luis] Suarez and Neymar. If Coutinho joins Barcelona, he has to play wherever the coach wants him to play, which would be to fill in here and there.”