Liverpool Transfer News LIVE updates: Coutinho to Barcelona within hours, Van Dijk latest

LIVERPOOL are busy pressing ahead with their transfer plans with the end of the summer window fast approaching. And Express Sport brings you the latest on Barcelona's pursuit of Philippe Coutinho and all the latest from Anfield.

Gerrard: Coutinho transfer is a difficult situation for Liverpool

Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Follow below for updates on the latest moves at Anfield

Wednesday 16 August

Barceloan close to Coutinho breakthrough

18:48: Liverpool and Barcelona could be set to agree a deal for Philippe Coutinho in ‘a matter of hours’, claims Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

Liverpool don’t want to sell Coutinho but the player has handed in a transfer request in the hope of securing the switch to Barcelona.

Mundo Deportivo claim ‘sources close to the operation say that it should be finalised in a couple of days’.

They add the agreement to sell may be in place within hours.

Saints eye centre-back, but NOT to replace VVD

14:30: Southampton are interested in Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt.

The 23-year-old joined Lazio from AZ Alkmaar in 2015 and has caught the eye of those at St Mary's.

Saints are keen to wrap up a deal for Hoedt, albeit NOT as a replacement for disgruntled centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who’s been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea this summer.

The Lazio defender is reportedly the subject of a £15.46million bid from Mauricio Pellegrino's men.

Wenger’s dig at Liverpool

13:34: Arsene Wenger has aimed a little dig at Liverpool over Philippe Coutinho’s transfer saga.

Wenger was asked if he was glad his stars Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain haven’t handed in transfer requests at Arsenal like Coutinho has at Liverpool.

To which Arsene Wenger replied: “Yes, I am very happy about that.

“It's important you have a serene atmosphere inside and clarity about your commitment. 

“It's important the players aren't half in and half out and they are completely in.”

Dembele deal done could be good news for Reds

12:20: Ousmane Dembele has agreed a move to Barcelona - handing Liverpool a major transfer boost.

Bundesliga expert Lee Price says a deal for Dembele to leave Borussia Dortmund has been done and it has had a significant knock-on effect on Liverpool.

Price believes the bumper fee Dortmund are demanding - said to be in excess of £90m - will leave too big a hole in the Barcelona bank balance.

Despite selling Neymar for £200.6million, he thinks they won’t have enough cash to complete a deal for Philippe Coutinho.

Price told Express Sport: “Dortmund have agreed to sell Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona, it'll happen. It's just the fee that needs to be finalised. 

“The German club are holding out for as much as they can possibly get - and more than £90million would be an incredible result for a player that cost them a tenth of that a year ago - which could scupper Barca's interest in Philippe Coutinho. 

“In any case, even with the sale of Neymar, the Catalans couldn't afford both Dembele and Coutinho. They would've needed to find extra financing. 

“Now, once Dembele joins, there's going to be less money and, crucially, less inclination for Coutinho.

“That will lend itself well to Liverpool's hopes of convincing him to stay another year.”

I want Ox to stay - Wenger

11:35:  Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Premier League trio have been linked with a move for the versatile midfielder, who still hasn’t agreed a contract extension beyond June 2018.

But manager Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to keep Oxlade-Chamberlain at the Emirates.

He said: “I want him to stay here for a long time. He’s the English player in the next two years that a lot of people look at.”

Liverpool close to Keita alternative

11:00: Liverpool are close to sealing a move for Nice's Jean Michael Seri.

The Reds recently joined Arsenal in the race for the midfielder by making contact with Nice officials.

And it seems talks are going well between the two clubs with the French outfit said to open to selling Seri if a respectable offer comes in.

Seri is under contract with Nice until 2019 and has a release clause of €40 million (£36.6m).

French sources at TransferMarketWeb claim the Reds are 'about to seal the deal' that will see Klopp pip Arsene Wenger to his signature.

The Gunners have been tracking Seri for some time but will only make a move for the Ivorian if they sell players before the transfer window shuts on August 31.

But it seems Arsenal could well miss out on Seri with Liverpool eager to wrap up a deal.

Seri has been dubbed the 'African Xavi' for his playing style in France and the former Barcelona star has even declared his admiration for the 26-year-old.

Coutinho to go on strike

10:15: Philippe Coutinho is ready to effectively go on strike in order to seal his dream move to Barcelona, according to stunning reports in Spain.

Coutinho was absent as Liverpool beat Hoffenheim 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Germany last night.

The Brazilian playmaker was ruled out with a back problem having handed in a transfer request via email on Friday.

Liverpool continue to insist Coutinho is not for sale despite reports in Spain claiming that Barcelona are close to signing him.

And Spanish sports paper Mundo Deportivo say Coutinho is ready to tell Liverpool he will not play for them again if they don’t let him leave.

Philippe CoutinhoGETTY

Liverpool Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho ready to go on strike to force through Barcelona move

Van Dijk on the move

09:25: Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool bound, according to former Southampton striker Brett Ormerod.

Southampton defender Van Dijk has been continually linked with a move away from the south Coast outfit.

Liverpool are looking to strengthen their defence and Jurgen Klopp is an admirer of Van Dijk.

Some reports have suggested suitor will have to spend upwards of £70m to clinch a deal for the highly-rated Dutchman.

And Ormerod is convince Van Dijk will head to Anfield.

“I think he’s off to Liverpool if I’m honest,” Ormerod told bwin. 

Four more needed at Liverpool

08:55: Craig Burley has weighed in on Liverpool's transfer plans, and reckons the Reds need to sign four more players.

Virgil van Dijk is consistently linked with a move to Anfield but Southampton are standing firm over their valuation for the defender.

Liverpool have been urged to strengthen their centre-back options this summer but supposedly haven't targeted an alternative to Van Dijk.

But Burley believes the Merseyside club must act fast to bring in new players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

“Although he wasn't at fault today, they need a goalkeeper," he told ESPN FC.

"They need to strengthen that back four with at least two players and I still believe they need a really solid, quality midfield player."

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