Real Madrid Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho's Agent Holds Talks, Latest Rumours

Latest reports indicate La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are on a collision course in their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, whose agent has already held talks with Los Blancos.

That's according to Lluis Miguelsanz of Catalan newspaper Sport, but Coutinho is said to "prefer Barcelona," who could be ready to make their move for his signature either this winter or next summer.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It also helps Real Madrid's case that Barca are somewhat hampered in their spending capabilities following the summer purchases of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal, who are prevented from making their debuts due to Barca's 2015 transfer embargo.

Talk of Coutinho's potential move to Catalonia went into overdrive recently after incumbent Blaugrana star Neymar said he'd like to have his Brazilian compatriot at the club. However, the Liverpool marvel responded, per the Mirror's Aaron Flanagan:

"

I am totally focused on Liverpool. I heard what Neymar said but I want to do well with Liverpool. I am happy here and I hope this season will go well for us.

Of course it is a nice thing that he said. Everyone knows he’s my friend but I am here and focused on Liverpool to help them do good things on the pitch.

"

Real Madrid are currently third in La Liga, a point off leaders Villarreal and sitting alongside Celta Vigo as the most prolific scorers in the competition thus far with 15 goals to their name after seven games.

However, firepower is something the Bernabeu can seemingly never have enough of, and Coutinho's place as a world-class attacker was justified this week after he made the 59-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, per Sport Witness:

Just as Luis Suarez once did before moving to the Camp Nou last summer, Coutinho has at times stood out as a superior talent to the rest of his Anfield team-mates since arriving at the club in January 2013.

The Telegraph's Chris Bascombe outlined the inspirational attributes he tends to add to the team during the Reds' 1-1 draw against Sion in the Europa League:

Real manager Rafa Benitez may have a job fitting the Brazil international into his lineup as things stand, however, considering the likes of Isco and Jese Rodriguez are already battling for first-team places.

One might well debate whether Coutinho would be ready to displace the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or James Rodriguez, with Arsenal Fan TV using Squawka statistics to contrast the South American against Gunners star Mesut Ozil:

According to Miguelsanz's report, it appears Real would be more readily equipped to make a move for their target in a financial sense, but Coutinho may opt to remain on Merseyside in the hopes another Spanish titan will eventually come calling.

In the meantime, struggling Liverpool can only do all within their power to convince their star to remain a Red, but the club is all too aware of the impact La Liga's allure can have on their most prized assets.