Liverpool Transfer News: Fresh Rumours on Philippe Coutinho and Mamadou Sakho

Liverpool will reportedly offer star midfielder Philippe Coutinho a new contract to stave off renewed interest from Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.

That’s according to Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star Sunday, who has suggested the Brazil international “will return to the Liverpool side after his injury as the most wanted player in the world.”

It’s stated in the piece that as well as interest from PSG and Barcelona, City are considering a move for Coutinho as they seek to secure a long-term replacement for star midfielder David Silva. However, Liverpool would reportedly hold out for a world-record fee of £90 million before selling their key creator.

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In the meantime, it’s noted Liverpool want to make the Brazilian their top earner and offer him a weekly salary of £150,000. With five goals and five assists in the Premier League already this term, it’s a status he would have undoubtedly earned at Anfield.

Currently on the sidelines with injury, Coutinho was one of the standout players in the division before his layoff, helping the Reds cement their status as thoroughbred title challengers. Indeed, aside from his superb dribbling and inventive passing, these numbers from Squawka Football show how important Coutinho is off the ball to Liverpool:

That’s why it’d be a huge surprise to see Liverpool look to sell the midfield star. He agreed a five-year deal at Anfield in 2015, meaning his status is secured, and Coutinho looks to be content with life on Merseyside under the smart stewardship of Jurgen Klopp.

Of course, clubs like Barcelona, PSG and City do have the spending power to test the resolve of the Reds, but the team looks to be standing on the cusp of an exciting era under Klopp. That’s something Coutinho would surely want to be a part of.

Mamadou Sakho Deal Doubted

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According to Lille chief executive Marc Ingla, it is unlikely the club will bring in Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho in the January transfer window.

“I prefer not to be so specific!” he said when asked about the Frenchman and Manchester United’s Memphis Depay in an interview with RMC Sport (h/t Dipesh Agarwal of Sport Witness). “But I think they will not come to the Lille, if you want an answer. We must ask the technical manager of today, also to Luis Campos, but according to my info, no.”

As noted by Agarwal, Sakho has been linked with a possible move to Lille having been marginalised by Klopp at Anfield. Indeed, the France international is yet to make a single appearance for the senior side this term, turning out regularly for the club’s Under 23 team instead.

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It’s also suggested that West Bromwich Albion hold an interest in the ex-PSG man, while there are also Turkish clubs looking at the defender.

Given his status at the club currently, a January sale looks a certainty for Sakho. Keith Costigan of FOX Sports is unsure whether the Reds can command a large fee for the defender, either:

Sakho was a popular figure at Anfield, especially toward the back end of the 2015-16 season when he excelled at centre-back. However, he was sent home from Liverpool’s pre-season tour after not showing “respect” to his colleagues and has not been seen in a competitive game since.

The 26-year-old showed he can be a big asset with some stellar performances last term and, for the likes of West Brom, he could represent a coup in January. Liverpool, meanwhile, don’t look to be missing the defender too much at all, as they continue to challenge at the top of the Premier League.