Liverpool transfer news update: Philippe Coutinho deal completed

So far, the transfer news of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea to Liverpool has hogged Merseyside headlines, now Brendan Rodgers can spread more joy to fans with the news that Inter Milan winger Philippe Coutinho is set to sign this week.

It is heavily suggested the fee paid for the 20-year-old Brazilian is in the region of £9m, a sum that saw off rival bids from Tottenham and Southampton.

With Thursday’s transfer deadline looming and Rodgers clearing big names from his squad including Joe Cole (West Ham) and Nuri Sahin (Dortmund), it came as no surprise that Rodgers had planned to add another fresh face to his developing Liverpool army.

Transfer rumours of Liverpool bidding for Coutinho were rife all last week, now it is understood that several bids from the Premiership outlet were knocked back, and the final proposed fee was accepted last Friday.

Rodgers, at his Liverpool press conference against Oldham, said: “We hope to do some business between now and the end of the month…. the owners have been brilliant in supporting (me), we knew we were maybe a little bit short in the summer.”

The introduction of the new Liverpool transfer will sadly pave the way for Stuart Downing, a player brought in with much promise but has been given few too little opportunities and done even less when coming off the bench.

Downing was signed under the short-lived Dalglish regime for a handsome fee, now Rodgers will accept what he can for the once celebrated England international.

Just recently Joe Cole was shipped out to West Ham and has since in his rapid time there been able to resurrect his career, Rodgers will relish the chance to further cut his huge wage bill by positioning Downing too in the transfer shop window.

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