Barcelona new boy Coutinho: Incredible to play with idols

Philippe Coutinho says he is living the dream after completing his move to Barcelona.

The finishing touches have been put on his British record transfer from Liverpool, which could be worth up to £142 million, and the Spanish club will parade him at the Nou Camp today.

The 25-year-old Brazil international, who watched his new side’s 3-0 win over Levante yesterday, will perform a ceremonial signing of his contract at 11.30am GMT before a photo shoot on the pitch and a press conference.

He told Barca TV: “I’m very happy, very happy. I have always said that it is a dream that I am living and I am very happy to be here.

“To be able to play, win titles, make the fans happy... always play with joy.

“It is incredible to know that I am going to live with idols, players with a lot of history. Footballers like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, (Gerard) Pique, (Sergio) Busquets.

“I am very happy to be able to live together, to be able to learn from them and be able to win together.”

Having earlier been presented at a photocall, Coutinho posted a short video message on the Barcelona Twitter feed.

Coutinho is joining a team nine points clear at the top of LaLiga and seemingly on the way to another title.

Boss Ernesto Valverde is confident Coutinho, who arrived at Liverpool from Inter Milan for £8.5m in January 2013, will prove a valuable addition to his star-studded squad.

“I think he can bring us a lot of things,” Valverde said at a press conference after yesterday’s game which saw Messi mark his 400th LaLiga appearance with an early goal.

“Coutinho scores goals, assists, he can play both inside (down the centre) and outside (on the flanks). I have seen him play in many positions both for Liverpool and in his national team.

“But we will wait to see him train for at least one day to assess his condition.”

Philippe Coutinho will be unveiled by Barcelona today.