David James believes Philippe Coutinho cannot be faulted for hoping to join Barcelona last summer.

The Spanish giants attempted, and failed, to sign the Brazilian with Liverpool not budging an inch.

Coutinho also handed a transfer request in an attempt to force the move, prompting criticism from certain quarters especially because he just signed a new deal with the Merseyside club.

However, James defended him, saying it all started after Neymar made a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

"During Christmas time, he was happy at Liverpool and with Jurgen Klopp, and became the Coutinho every Liverpool fan expected him to be, so he signed a five-year deal with a club he saw a future with," the former England goalkeeper said during a Wonda Man On The Street segment.

"But this summer, Paris Saint-Germain spent £200m on a player and then he was offered something that no one, including Coutinho himself, could've seen coming not just at Christmas but also in May.

"He was put in a position I cannot imagine he dreamed of when he signed his new Liverpool deal.

"If Barcelona want you and are willing to spend whatever the amount is on you, will you not come?"

James also suggested that it would be almost impossible for South American footballers to reject an opportunity to join Barcelona, who can name the likes of Ronaldinho, Romario and Diego Maradona among their former players.

"He's not English or born in Liverpool, so he does not have loyalty, in a sense, to the club," he added.

"He is a traveller who was offered an opportunity to fill the boots of, for him, another Brazilian legend."