Andres Iniesta backs Barcelona to sign Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho and Yerry Mina

Andres Iniesta has encouraged Barcelona to sign Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho and Palmeiras centre-back Yerry Mina during the January transfer window after admitting that both players would be "important reinforcements" for the La Liga giants.

Barcelona already tried to sign the Brazilian ace in the summer after being identified as Ernesto Valverde's top priority following the departure of Neymar.

Coutinho even handed in the transfer request to force his exit but Barcelona had to abandon the pursuit on deadline day due to Liverpool's high demands.

Mina, meanwhile, has also been linked with Barcelona for a while with the club having first refusal to sign him from Palmeiras in a deal worth around €9m (£7.9m, $10.6m) .

Reports in Spain say Coutinho remains a top target for Valverde with Barcelona ready to break the bank to test Liverpool's resolve one more time with an offer in excess of €100m.

Meanwhile, it has been said that Barcelona will also try to bring 23-yeaar-old Mina to the Nou Camp in January if Javier Mascherano leaves the club.

Iniesta admits that both players would surely be welcomed at the Nou Camp ahead of the demanding second half of the season.

"Both in its own characteristics would be two important reinforcements, important because the players they are and their roles. If the club think [that they should sign them] is because they believe that its necessary to bolster those areas," Iniesta said in a press conference on Wednesday (13 December).

"[The potential new signings] have to be players with a top level and ready to deal with the pressure of a club like this. They would be two great signings. But these are situations that are not a reality so it is difficult to talk about it when it has not happened."

Yet, Iniesta refused to confirm that Mascherano will definitely leave the club in January despite numerous reports saying that a Chinese club have already tabled an offer to lure him away from Barcelona.

"We are not resigned [to lose Mascherano] because it is not official and we have not heard from his mouth that he will leave. Javi is still an important player for us. I would like him to continue here," the Barcelona captain added. "It is very important in our group. After all the years he has been hereyou can't question the feeling he has for Barça."

The potential signing of Coutinho would provide a lot of competition in the middle of the park.

Denis Suarez could be one the biggest casualties of his arrival with Valverde also having Iniesta himself, Ivan Rakitic, Andre Gomes, Sergi Roberto, Paulinho and Rafinha Alcantara to cover the position.

Suarez has precisely been tipped to become the long-term successor for the 33-year-old captain since Barcelona brought him back from Villarreal during the summer of 2016 by activating a buy-back option.

Iniesta believes that Suarez has a long-term future at the Nou Camp but he rejected the comparisons in order to not put too much pressure on the young playmaker.

"When I was promoted to the first team I also experienced comparisons. I think it's not good to put those kind of successor labels on a player. I think he has the talent to play here and to have a relevant role," the Barcelona captain added.

"He has a lot of room to keep improving. He has to play, keep learning and he will be important for this club. I trust him. I consider that he can be an important player in this club but every player is different."