Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Major Deals Linked Ahead of January

Barcelona are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Liverpool talisman Philippe Coutinho in a bid to unite the playmaker with Brazil team-mate Neymar. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Dahoud is understood to be a winter target for the Reds.

Didac Peyret of Spanish newspaper Sport wrote that Coutinho is the Blaugrana's primary transfer target and that Liverpool won't settle for a deal unless it's north of their €75 million (£65 million) valuation.

Peyret also mentioned the Catalans "dream" of bringing Neymar and Coutinho together at club level after their form has lit up Brazil's recent successful streak, culminating in Thursday's 3-0 thumping of Argentina.

South American football reporter Paulo Freitas provided a glimpse at Sport's front cover on Friday, which showed Barca's winter intentions, adding Coutinho's desire to see the move materialise:

Barcelona completed a major coup by bringing former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez to the Camp Nou for a fee of £65 million in 2014, and the Reds are reported to be asking for an almost identical figure this time around.

The Merseysiders' case is helped by the fact Coutinho has no buyout clause in his contract, as pointed out by Paul Joyce of the Times, meaning they could negotiate the terms of his exit should it come to pass:

Coutinho has much to thank his employers for, however, considering they helped rescue his flailing career in January 2013, at which point he was stagnating among Inter Milan's ranks.

Sport (h/t Jack Staplehurst of the Daily Express) also reported both Neymar and Suarez are aiding Barca in their attempt to lure Coutinho to Catalonia, while many would argue the Brazilian would make a great fit under Barca manager Luis Enrique.

There is news on the inbound list for Liverpool, too, after German newspaper Express (h/t James Cambridge of the Daily Express) reported Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Dahoud will be the subject of a £26 million bid.

It's mentioned that Dahoud has rejected offers of a new contract at Borussia-Park, although WhoScored.com writer Dinesh Kumar has stated he doesn't see the move taking place this winter:

Manager Jurgen Klopp already has numerous options in central midfield, with James Milner, Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, Adam Lallana and Marko Grujic all able to partner captain Jordan Henderson.

That being said, Dahoud, 20, has attracted praise as one of the brightest prospects in the Bundesliga, and with his contract set to expire in 2018, Borussia Monchengladbach may well consider cashing in next year.