Soccer: Liverpool have reportedly had a bid accepted by Inter Milan for Brazilian attacker Philippe Coutinho. The Merseyside club are believed to have offered €10 million for the 20-year-old, who has attracted interest from Southampton.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said on Friday he was still looking to add to his squad with one or two new players before Thursday's transfer deadline.
Rodgers was unwilling to comment on speculation linking the club with Coutinho but it is now understand the club have succeeded with an approach after previous advances were rejected.
Coutinho is now expected to travel to Liverpool early next week for a medical and to complete other formalities.
Liverpool will also need to apply for a work permit for the player. If the deal is completed, Coutinho would become the club's second signing of this transfer window following the £12million capture of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.
Rodgers, at his press conference to preview this weekend's FA Cup tie at Oldham, said: "We hope to do some business between now and the end of the month. The owners have been brilliant in supporting (me), we knew we were maybe a little bit short in the summer. We all agreed this was a month we would try to reinforce, if we could."
Coutinho came through the youth system at Vasco da Gama before joining Inter at the age of 16. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Espanyol, where he worked with new Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino's recent appointment at Saints led to speculation linking him with the south coast club but it is understand Coutinho has expressed a preference for Anfield.
Rodgers yesterday insisted striker Luis Suarez is committed to the club. The Uruguay international is enjoying an outstanding season having scored 20 goals and that has led to speculation of a move away from Anfield for a player valued at around €45 million. Suarez signed a long-term contract at Anfield in August.
Liverpool are currently seventh in the Premier League and facing a battle to regain a place in Europe's elite competition, but Rodgers is confident Suarez shares his vision for the club and does not believe the 26-year-old's future on Merseyside depends on whether they qualify or not.
Rodgers said: "Luis had a terrific season last season and he had an opportunity to leave in the summer, and probably would have had a ready-made excuse with a new manager coming in, but he never did. He committed to the club. He sees the vision going forward, and he believes in that.
"He knows it won't happen overnight. He has had a brilliant season with 20 goals until now, and hopefully there are many more to come."
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