FURTHER to the breaking news yesterday, Goal.com have reported that a delegation from Liverpool FC, led by managing director Ian Ayre, has flown out to Italy to thrash out a deal for young Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has apparently identified Coutinho as the missing ‘number 10′ player he believes the squad needs, after losing out on Gylfi Sigurdsson to Tottenham back in July, and Ayre’s sole mission is to come back with Coutinho’s signature whatever it takes.
The 20 year old Brazilian international (capped once so far) has also attracted solid interest from Southampton, where new boss Mauricio Pochettino had him on loan last year for La Liga club Espanyol. The midfielder scored 5 goals in 16 games for the Spanish outfit and caught the eye on more than one occasion. However, it is thought Coutinho has already sounded out a senior member of the Liverpool squad, believed to be fellow Brazilian Lucas Leiva as to how the Reds operate.
A fee of around £8m was rejected yesterday with the Serie A club wanting nearer £10 million and if rumours are to be believed, a deal could be completed and announced before the day is done.
Watch this space for any further developments throughout the day.
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January 24th, 2013
I wouldn’t trust Ayre with bringing back anything , he will probably bring back a cheap 2m brazilian instead
January 24th, 2013
Like August like January.Please don’t be poor and losser businessman.Do someting in this transfar window to get top4.
January 24th, 2013
OK i am NOT confident in this guy at all . How many skillful brazilians have been successful in premier league ???
Not many is answer – who ? Edu ? Juninho (meh), Doriva , Silvinho , Elano ? they dont seem to work in the premier league , im not counting physical players like Gilberto Silva or Lucas
Coutinho doesnt speak language and is a little injury prone . I would stay well clear
January 24th, 2013
What about David Luiz, Ramirez, Oscar!!!!
January 24th, 2013
Skillful flair players like Coutinho is what i said . Luiz and Ramirez are tough and physical . Oscar cant even get into chelsea team
January 24th, 2013
Mayb u rite. Even Ksks bottled it!!
January 24th, 2013
So we are going to loose him to Southampton now?
January 25th, 2013
Yes . Liverpool are the 9th richest club in the world apparently , yet FSG wont spend ….. ?