Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has revealed he has been in regular contact with Philippe Coutinho in an effort to persuade his compatriot to leave Liverpool and join him at the Parc des Princes.

Coutinho, 25, was the subject of three transfer bids from Barcelona during the summer transfer window – the biggest of which amounted to £114m ($150m) – but Liverpool insisted that the midfielder would not be sold for any price.

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The interest from the La Liga giants prompted Coutinho to file a transfer request to force through a move, but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and owner Fenway Sports Group refused to alter their stance.

Recent reports have suggested that Barcelona could make a fresh move for the Brazilian midfielder in the January transfer window, but Silva said he hoped his international teammate would opt to join PSG if Liverpool decided to sell him.

"I talk a lot with Coutinho. I hope that at the end of the season or even before, it could be a nice surprise for us," Silva was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"I hope he will think well and that next year he will work with us.

"As with Neymar, I give him a lot of advice. But I think the most important thing for him is to make the best decision."

Coutinho signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool worth around £150,000 per week in January, making him the highest paid player at the club.

Philippe Coutinho
Barcelona are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho in January Getty

He has made 10 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, scoring five goals.

Meanwhile, Brazil great Ronaldinho urged Coutinho to leave Liverpool for his former club Barcelona, saying that Spanish football would better suit his style of play.

"I believe that Spanish football has everything that is attractive to him. It suits his style," the former Barcelona playmaker was reported as saying by the Sunday Mirror.

"Barcelona doesn't have any particular attraction for Brazilian players. But if he – or anyone – is to succeed there, they must play with passion. And they have to be happy."

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