5 reasons why Barcelona want Philippe Coutinho in January instead of the summer

#5 Barcelona want to prove they are still top dogs in the market

Bartomeu wants to make another marquee signing like Ousmane Dembele

This transfer is also about damage control for Barcelona - off the pitch, of course. Club president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been on the receiving end of criticism from Barcelona fans following what was a relatively dismal summer.

The Catalan club had lost their future star Neymar to PSG for €222m and had also failed to land Coutinho in August prior to the season. Although some of the blows have been softened by the team's performances and Lionel Messi's contract extension, the president is no longer a popular man.

Which is why he is trying to everything he can to show the fans that he is still in control of what happens at the club. And a marquee signing like Coutinho would only strengthen his position at the club despite the turmoil that surrounds his presidency.

Ernesto Valverde, on the other hand, is not too concerned about whether Barcelona sign Coutinho or not.

"We will see if he comes or not. He is a great player. We respect Liverpool and we respect the player. We don't know what will happen in the future but I like the players I have now in the squad." - Valverde

Moreover, Barcelona were stung by the Neymar transfer. It proved that they no longer had a say in big transfers and were no longer top dogs in the market.

The signing of Coutinho will also be a statement of intent that says Barcelona will be bullied no longer by other clubs.