Liverpool Transfer News: Thiago Maia Interest Reported, Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool reportedly sit among a list of five clubs understood to be examining Santos midfielder Thiago Maia ahead of the January transfer window. Elsewhere, Philippe Coutinho could be offered a new contract to prolong his stay at Anfield. 

ESPN Brasil (h/t ESPN FC) reported the Reds are keen on Brazil under-20 international Maia, although Napoli, AS Monaco, Schalke and Zenit St. Petersburg are also said to be showing interest in the youngster.

The central midfielder has drawn attention at Santos this year and will become more available for a move during the winter transfer window now that South America's football calendar is in its offseason.

Maia confirmed his future is up for discussion with the transfer window set to re-open in January, although the 19-year-old also appeared open to remaining in his current setting, per ESPN FC:

"

I'm on vacation. It was a busy year, but very important for my career. I won a gold medal in the Olympics. In Santos we had a regular season, we won the Campeonato Paulista [regional championship] title and stayed in second place on Campeonato Brasileiro.

Finally, now I want to take a rest and let the people who take care of my career and my club decide if it is the moment for a transfer.

If I stay, the supporters can rest easy because I will repeat the good season, fight to win the Libertadores and be a champion.

"

Liverpool's midfield has been in fine working condition this term, with captain Jordan Henderson marshalling alongside the likes of Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum, Emre Can and Marko Grujic, but reinforcements wouldn't go astray.

ESPN FC mentioned in the report that Zenit were the only one of the five aforementioned teams to lodge an official offer, although Globo Esporte (h/t Football Manager researcher Paulo Freitas) confirmed the Russian outfit's bid was rejected:

The Reds also look likely to free up some engine-room space when Lucas Leiva's contract expires in the summer, provided he doesn't pen an extension. That could open the gap for Maia to take his compatriot's spot.

Liverpool are liable to encounter some serious competition for Maia, however, as he's looked upon as one of Brazil's brightest prospects. ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson recently named Paris Saint-Germain as a potential competitor:

Of the other four teams said to be interested, Napoli and Monaco perhaps pose the greatest threats to a potential transfer, considering their financial muscle and title prospects. But the Reds have trophies of their own in sight.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star (h/t Liverpool Echo's Joe Rimmer) reported the Reds are prepared to hand Coutinho a new deal at Anfield in order to ward off interest from Manchester City.

The Citizens are said to be looking at Brazil international Coutinho as a playmaker who can eventually fill the boots of David Silva, 30, but Liverpool now want to make the South American their highest-paid player.

According to Rimmer's report, Liverpool are willing to offer Coutinho a new salary of £150,000 per week, and City would need to beat the world-record £89 million fee that took Paul Pogba back to Manchester United in order to land the Reds ace.