Liverpool Transfers: Top 5 Rumors of the Day

Another day, another round of transfer goes.

The Reds are looking to get back into top four contention after a disappointing draw against Swansea City last weekend and prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow in a crucial match for both sides. But there will be more and more eyes on January in hopes that some key bids will launch Liverpool right into the top four. 

Here are the top five January transfer rumors circulating right now. As always, these are mighty speculative and should be taken with a grain of salt or two. If you have any other bits of gossip you've heard as of late, as always, have at it in the comments.

Liverpool, Manchester United to Compete for Lucas Moura

Neymar who? Kenny Dalglish and the gang reportedly have their eyes on another explosive Brazilian teen, São Paulo's 19-year-old playmaker Lucas Moura, who has drawn comparisons to the likes of Kaká for his impressive pace and dribbling. He raised eyebrows in the U20 Championship finals, scoring a hat trick in Brazil's victory over Uruguay, and was included in FIFA's most recent list of young players to watch alongside Romelu Lukaku and David de Gea. 

Lucas Moura is reportedly rated at about €20-25 million, and rivals Manchester United also have the Brazilian starlet on their radar, along with AC Milan and Real Madrid, who may be more inclined to make a move after the Neymar deal fell through. 

Reds Looking to the Neighbours for Transfers?

The Guardian is reporting that Liverpool may take advantage of local rivals Everton's dire financial situation and make moves for two of its players, star defender Leighton Baines for £7 million and for up-and-coming right-sided player Séamus Coleman for £4 million. 

An extra wide player wouldn't hurt in terms of Coleman, but a move to Anfield for Baines seems highly unlikely. Even though Moyes has said every player has his price, as the defender assured fans, although he would consider a transfer to play in Europe, he could never move to the Toffee's crosstown rivals.

As he told The Telegraph:

"

“When you’re from Liverpool, it’s either Liverpool or Everton, one and not the other. You do one but you don’t do both and that’s that. Obviously I was made aware of the stories but as far as I’m concerned it wouldn’t have got beyond that. You are one and you stick with that. You understand it more if you’re brought up in the area and know what it means to everyone."

"

Reds Looking at Toulouse DM Etienne Capoue

The 23-year-old Toulouse defensive midfielder has been in Ligue 1 since his teens, a tough presence with goal-scoring capability and an improved disciplinary record (he went down from 13 yellow cards during the 2009-10 season to just five last year). 

With only Lucas Leiva as a reasonable option in the holding midfield position, DM may be a spot where the Reds need a serious backup, and with not much buzz around one-time target Yann M'Vila anymore, Capoue could very well be an option. 

Toulouse's hard man is reportedly valued at around £10 million and the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are all reportedly looking to place bids for him. 

Reds Monitoring Philippe Coutinho

Another teenage starlet on the Reds' radar is Inter Milan's Philippe Coutinho, who if signed, would be joining a rash of summer midfield signings like Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson. After some impressive moments in his debut season at the San Siro, the 19-year-old midfielder hasn't seen much time on the pitch so far this year, and the prospect of first-team play could be a huge factor in him coming to Anfield.

Our fellow BR columnist Jake Ware pointed out that Coutinho's style is similar to Steven Gerrard's, and with age and frequent injury slowing down the Kop legend, the search may be on for an heir apparent to take over in his central midfield role. 

Liverpool Set to Make David Villa Bid

Yeah, yeah. You've probably heard this one before, but of the rumors circulating right now, it's probably the biggest, so we couldn't not include it. 

A number of publications had been reporting this week that Kenny Dalglish and co. are investigating a possible move for Barcelona striker David Villa. Villa has been impressing for Spain in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, and his record with the Blaugrana isn't too shabby either, but the rumors suggest the star isn't happy at the Camp Nou, at odds with the club's biggest star and fellow striker, Lionel Messi.