Philippe Coutinho’s €160million arrival from Liverpool will not spell the end of Andres Iniesta’s Barcelona career, the Spaniard defiantly says.

The Catalan giants have invested heavily following the summer exit of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain with Ousmane Dembele and now Coutinho brought in to share the creative burden.

Brazil international Coutinho is widely viewed as the heir to Iniesta at Camp Nou with the 33-year-old skipper showing signs of aging this season.

But Iniesta is of the opinion the two will be complementary creators rather than antagonistic forces.

“I’m a player for this club and I’ve always said that only the best can play for this club,” he told Onda Cero.

“That makes Coutinho one of the best. He’s young and he has an innate talent, while Barcelona are a club where he can keep growing.

“There will never be a player that can make me retire or kick me out of here. At 33 years of age, that isn’t the issue. Coutinho has come here to improve us.

“I’m happy that he’s one of the best players in his position. He has the things that we like.

“He’s a quick and skilful player, who links up very well, uses both feet very well, creates goals and scores them.

“He’ll find a very good environment to grow here. The money we paid for him is another thing.

“The price of the market decides what a player is worth. Beyond the madness, we must be happy that he’s ours.”

Coutinho is currently sidelined with a thigh injury and is expected to make his Barca debut until the local derby with Espanyol on February 4.