Barcelona eye up CSKA Moscow star Aleksandr Golovin should pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho fail
Brazilian is still No1 priority in January transfer window, but Nou Camp board draw up list of contingency plans
BARCELONA are eyeing up CSKA Moscow star Aleksandr Golovin as a potential substitute for Philippe Coutinho, according to reports in Catalonia.
Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder is still the No1 target at the Nou Camp, with a January move expected.
However, Jurgen Klopp is expected to do everything in his power to keep hold of Coutinho.
And Sport report that Barcelona director Robert Fernandez watched Golovin in action during CSKA Moscow's 2-1 win at Basel.
The Nou Camp bigwig had also travelled to see defender Manuel Akanji in action for the Swiss side, but had been most impressed by the Russian midfielder.
Golovin, 21, is considered one of the brightest prospects in his homeland and is already a regular under Viktor Gancharenko.
He is described as the side's midfield "lungs" and is the complete player in terms of his quickness, technique, aggression, while he also presses well.
Golovin helped Russia to European U-19 success in 2015 and is expected to be an integral player at next summer's World Cup.
NOU HARD FEELINGS Ernesto Valverde quizzed on Neymar’s weekend visit to training ground
The report also suggests Arsenal made an £8.9million bid last season, which was rejected.
However, he would likely be available for around £17.8m this summer.
most read in football
💰How to claim your FREE £30 bet💰
Barcelona's priority in the January transfer window is to sign an attacking midfielder — with Coutinho the ideal choice.
However, should they fail to land the Liverpool man, they will look elsewhere.
Ernesto Valverde want a long-term replacement for Andres Iniesta.