Liverpool Transfer News: Alexander Isak Rumours, Latest on Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool have reportedly begun talks to sign AIK Solna starlet Alexander Isak, dubbed "the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic." Elsewhere, manager Jurgen Klopp said it's a good thing Liverpool stars like Philippe Coutinho are linked with Europe's giants.

Isak has recently attracted interest from across the continent, and Swedish newspaper Matchdax (h/t Football Insider's Alex Stevens) reported Liverpool scouts were in attendance for Monday's outing against IFK Gothenburg.

AIK sports director Bjorn Wesstrom was also quizzed on interest in Isak but refused to give anything away regarding the youngster's next destination, with his contract set to run until the summer of 2018:  

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I say what I have said the entire time. I won’t comment about which clubs are interested or not in Alexander Isak. AIK Soccer communicate as usual, when there is something confirmed. I can’t confirm or deny [that talks with Liverpool took place]. As I said, we don’t comment when there is nothing to comment on.

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Despite being just 17 years of age, Isak has already made his debut for Sweden's under-21 side, and it's widely expected he could complete a move to one of Europe's big guns in the foreseeable future.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently analysed the prodigious talent earning comparisons to his Manchester United-based compatriot Ibrahimovic, against whom he might have a chance of playing if the youngster goes to Anfield next year:

Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia) provided further quotes from Wesstrom, who added: "It will need a great offer to take him away. We will assess the offers that come in and we will take the most tangible one into consideration."

Meanwhile, Klopp has responded positively to speculation players like Coutinho and Nathaniel Clyne are being linked with the giants of La Liga, insisting it reflects well on his stars, per Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express:

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That’s a really good sign! Only the big clubs, yes? A few months ago it was like ‘he will go to Aston Villa and try to bring them back to the Premier League’.

What can I say? It’s better that they talk about Real Madrid and Barcelona. How many matches have we played? Nine? ****ing hell, nine matches and we talk about all this stuff.

Do they want to get them in winter or the next window? Do they think they can buy Clyney in winter? Come on. It’s nice but not important.

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According to Gibbs, Real Madrid were most recently linked with a move for Brazilian Coutinho, although Klopp doesn't seem worried about his prime puppeteer leaving for pastures new anytime soon.

The Reds can feel particularly confident about the pair of Coutinho and Clyne, considering each have three-and-a-half years remaining on their contracts, which run until the summer of 2020.

Klopp isn't the only fan of Coutinho, either, and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher hailed the rising influence the attacking midfielder has had on Merseyside since adapting closer to the Premier League:

Liverpool are once again an intriguing prospect with Klopp at their helm and sit as one of three teams tied for the Premier League lead, a project Coutinho is undoubtedly keen to keep working in.

One man unafraid of which Spanish powerhouses might come for his players is Klopp, and the January transfer window doesn't look likely to have any high-profile departures in store at Anfield.