Brazil legend Ronaldinho confirms Barcelona's interest in Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho

Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho has revealed that the Spanish giants are interested in signing Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho. The Brazil international has been a standout player for the Reds in recent times and his form has attracted interest from top European clubs.

According to ESPN, Ligue 1 winners Paris Saint-Germain are looking at the option of securing the services of the 24-year-old. Barcelona have long been an admirer of the former Inter Milan man and their manager Luis Enrique wants to bring the South American player to the club, reports the Catalan publication Sport.

Coutinho picked up an ankle injury in his side's league win over Sunderland and was stretchered off the field. He has been on the sidelines since then and is closing in on making a return to the pitch.

Ronaldinho, who was at Camp Nou from 2003 to 2008, confirmed there is a "lot of admiration" for his compatriot at Barcelona. The World Cup winner with Brazil has backed Coutinho to shine for Liverpool once he returns from his injury.

"I hope when he (Coutinho) returns from injury that he will continue the form he has been showing all season with Liverpool," Ronaldinho told The Sun.

"He has been one of the standout 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."

Earlier in November, Ronaldinho's former Barcelona teammate and the La Liga club's legend Xavi admitted that Coutinho could improve the Spanish champions, if he decided to swap Anfield for Camp Nou.

"There are not many players that can improve Barcelona, but if you are asking me if he [Coutinho] is one of them, on this form, I think he is. Technically he is very good. He would suit Barcelona's philosophy well," Xavi told Goal.com.