Liverpool Transfer News LIVE updates: Kovacic deal agreed claim, Costa and Van Dijk claim

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

Tuesday August 22

Chelsea waiting on Van Dijk

07.00: Chelsea will only make a move for Virgil van Dijk if given the green light by Southampton, who have insisted he is not for sale.

Chelsea are currently working on other deals and are prepared to wait until the last minute to launch a bid for Van Dijk if given encouragement, according to the Telegraph.

Van Dijk has submitted a transfer request and been the subject of interest from Liverpool as well as Chelsea.

And while Chelsea have made it clear they are interested in the Holland international they will not pursue the player if Southampton maintain their stance of not wanting to sell.

Liverpool were accused of tapping the player up and reported to the Premier League and Chelsea do not want to be caught up in anything similar.

Costa and Van Dijk to Liverpool claim

03:45: Liverpool should sign Diego Costa and Virgil van Dijk if Philippe Coutinho leaves for Barcelona, according to Stuart Pearce. 

When asked on Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre what they should do if Coutinho leaves, he said: “They go and get Costa from Chelsea and Van Dijk from Southampton.

“Balance the books accordingly.

“You have to make a statement.

“I think Liverpool fans are very patient and understanding, I think if you’re talking in excess of £100m for this player and he wants to go, I’d be tempted to take the money and wish him all the best.”

Carragher on Coutinho

01:35: Liverpool could have sold Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona if they signed their top transfer targets earlier in the window. 

That is the view of Jamie Carragher, who reckons if Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Virgil Van Dijk all signed it would have been acceptable to let Coutinho go. 

Asked by Gary Neville if Liverpool will hold on to Coutinho, Carragher said: "Well they will now of course. I don't think there's any doubt now. I said it a few weeks ago that they can't sell him. 

“The problem is it becomes more political than the actual business side of things.

“Liverpool have had such a poor window they couldn't be seen to let him go.

“Liverpool's three big targets of Van Dijk, Keita and Salah. If they'd got them in the door, I'm not saying yes to selling Coutinho but it may have been easier to prise him away. 

“Even Liverpool supporters may have thought '£120million for Philippe Coutinho? We can still go and spend that in two or three weeks to go'. 

“But they were never going to sell him on the fact that they haven't brought enough players in.”

Carragher's Mane claim

00:00: Sadio Mane will attract the attention of Europe’s top clubs if he continues his form at Liverpool, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

The Senegalese forward has been a revelation since his £34million move from Southampton to Liverpool last summer.

And Reds legend Carragher sees no reason why a move can’t be on the cards for Mane in the future if he continues his rich vein of form.

“If Mane carries on the way he's going, those top clubs in Europe in European football (could go for him),” Carragher said on Sky Sports. 

“Every club will be looking at him because he's been a revelation since he came from Southampton.”

Monday August 21

Kovacic claim

21:58: Liverpool have a verbal agreement to sign Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to reports in Spain.

Jurgen Klopp has lined up the Croatia midfielder as a potential replacement for Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho.

And Spanish outlet Don Balon say Kovacic has an agreement in place with Liverpool, where he could double his money.

Barcelona give up on Coutinho?

20:42: Barcelona have given up their chase for Philippe Coutinho, claims a Catalan radio station.

There are mixed reports over wether or not Barca are prepared to raise their bid for the Liverpool star.

Liverpool have already rejected a £118m offer for Coutinho.

Barca are tipped to come in with one final offer.

But radio station RAC1 claim Barca bosses have dropped their interest.

No doubt there will be more updates on this never-ending transfer saga…

Van Dijk back in training?

19:16: Virgil van Dijk has been spotted in training with Southampton - as Chelsea hatch a plan to beat Liverpool to his signing.

Van Dijk has been pictured in action with Southampton’s under-23s despite handing in a transfer request at the club.

The Telegraph say Chelsea are willing to wait for Van Dijk with Southampton refusing to sell.

Liverpool were forced to apologise for their pursuit of the Holland international earlier this summer and have left Saints angry.

But Chelsea hope their softer stance will allow them first refusal on Van Dijk if and when Southampton decide to sell.

Coutinho response delayed

18:00: Liverpool will not respond to Barcelona's interest in Philippe Coutinho until after Wednesday's Champions League clash with Hoffenheim.

Coutinho wants to leave Liverpool for Barca - but the Reds have rejected three bids so far.

The most recent bid was worth £118million.

Barca are still keen on the player but Spanish newspaper Sport claim they won't make any progress until Thursday at the earliest.

Liverpool don't want any distractions heading into the qualifier.

They hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Hoffenheim and progress to the Champions League group stage would guarantee five English sides in this season's tournament.

Robetson signing of the summer?

17:20: Liverpool signing Andrew Robertson could be one of the signings of the summer, according to Tony Cascarino.

Cascarino told The Times: “Andrew Robertson gives Liverpool a new dynamic at left back and, for about £8m, could prove to be one of the bargains of the summer.

“The Scotland international reminds me of Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier — an attacking full back who is brilliant at crossing.

“Last season, James Milner did a great job there but would slow moves down by cutting back on to his favoured right foot, whereas Robertson’s first thought is to whip crosses into the box.

“He is a more rounded player than Alberto Moreno, who looks third-choice now and I would not be surprised if the Spaniard left.”

Klopp doesn’t want Draxler

16:00: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not want to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Julian Draxler.

Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to let Draxler leave this summer following the £200million arrival of Neymar from Barcelona.

Liverpool have again been linked with a move for the Germany international, who snubbed the Reds when he left Wolfsburg for PSG in January.

But the Liverpool Echo claim Klopp is not interested in brining Draxler to Anfield this summer.

The Liverpool boss is said to be happy with his attacking options, having already brought in Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke this window.

Van Dijk will sign - Osman

15:00: Liverpool will complete the signing of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton before the transfer window shuts, according toformer Everton midfielder and pundit Leon Osman.

He reckons Southampton will eventually give in and allow Van Dijk to move to Anfield.

“Virgil van Dijk has come out and said where he wants to play his football next season,” Osman said on Sky Sports.

“I actually feel the move will go through, I think Southampton will inevitably accept the offer and accept the money that Liverpool are offering. 

“I think they will get their man.”

Liverpool won't refund Coutinho shirts

12:55: Liverpool will refuse to refund fans who buy shirts with Philippe Coutinho’s name on the back if he leaves.

It costs £65 for a Liverpool replica home shirt with Coutinho’s name and number 11 on.

And despite Barcelona submitting three bids and being desperate to buy him, Coutinho shirts are continuing to sell well from the Anfield club shop.

If he does go, Liverpool will bank well over £100million from any possible sale.

But it’ll be the fans who are hit in the pocket - because they’ll be left with worthless shirts that they can’t get their cash back on.

A club shop worker said: “If he leaves, we’re not giving money back on them. That’s the same with all players.”

Liverpool cannot keep Coutinho

12.15: Liverpool aren't good enough to keep players like Phillipe Coutinho, according to Joey Barton

"He’s already living a fair distance away from home and he’s probably grown up wanting to play for Barcelona," Barton told talkSPORT.

"No disrespect to Liverpool, but that’s the club Brazilian youngsters grow up wanting to play for nowadays.

"It’s not the Liverpool of the 80s, it’s Liverpool who haven’t won a title for over 20 years, so you can’t blame the boy.

“As I said, it’s just a case of how much and at what moment he goes.”

Barton wants Coutinho sold

09.15: Liverpool will be better off if they sell Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, according to Joey Barton.

"I think they should sell Coutinho," he told talkSPORT.

"There is talk of getting Julian Draxler from PSG, there is talk of Riyad Mahrez and Virgil van Dijk.

"If they can get rid of Coutinho and buy two of three players, it no doubt improves them as a squad.

"Coutinho on his own, yes he makes a massive difference to Liverpool, but they need to strengthen in other areas. They can't be all about Coutinho."

Coutinho deal off

07.30: The Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona saga is nearly over - and Liverpool have won the battle, according to Guillem Balague.

Barcelona have made three bids for Coutinho but are yet to make a breakthrough with Liverpool insisting he won’t be sold.

And Balague thinks the situation is now closed.

He told Sky Sports: "I think Liverpool have got no intention of answering that email from Barcelona, which in theory means that's the end of that, the end of the story of Coutinho moving to Barcelona.

"You never know in football of course, but Barcelona are true to their word and they will withdraw the offer at 7pm tonight.

"Liverpool have no intention of selling so Barcelona will have to look somewhere else for the reinforcements to bridge the gap of Real Madrid, who look so strong this season.

"They have known for a while that Liverpool do not want to negotiate, they have not sat down at the negotiating table all throughout the summer.

"Barcelona have had to start looking somewhere else and [Jean Michel] Seri of Nice is somebody they want to put their money on, and of course [Ousmane] Dembele.

"If they go for both of those, they won't have the money for anyone else anyway."

Coutinho replacement 

04:00: Liverpool could be forced to pay over the odds to find a replacement for Philippe Coutinho should they accept a big money offer from Barcelona.

Express Sport understands Barcelona are planning to return with a fourth bid worth £130m despite Liverpool's assertiveness the Brazil international will not be sold.

And Times reporter Rory Smith has warned Liverpool they will likely face an equally tough task negotiating a deal for a replacement.

“The problem is the timing,” Smith told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“if Liverpool get £120m in for Coutinho right now, at a rough guess, they might go for someone like Christian Pulisic at Dortmund, who is a player Klopp adores.

“If Pulisic was worth £50m before Liverpool sold Coutinho, Dortmund will ask for £100m because they know Liverpool have the money.”

Sakho too expensive

23:50: Crystal Palace haven't given up hope of signing Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool - if they drop their asking price.

Liverpool value the centre-back, who had a loan spell at Selhurst Park at the back end of last season, at £30million.

And Palace boss Frank de Boer admits he is interested in bringing Sakho back to the south London club, but can't afford what Liverpool are after.

“Everybody knows he had a major impact last season and, when he’s available for us, I think that is a quality injection for the club," he said. 

"It is not like this now because he is much too expensive for the club.”

Barcelona fan wears Coutinho shirt

20:22: A Barcelona fan clearly believes his side will sign Philippe Coutinho, having got ‘Coutinho 11’ printed on the back of his shirt.

Barcelona want to sign Coutinho but Liverpool are determined not to sell.

The No 11 shirt was vacated by Neymar, who completed his £200m move to PSG earlier this summer.

And Mundo Deportivo managed to snap a fan in a new Barca away shirt with Coutinho’s name on the back before the clash with Real Betis at the Nou Camp this evening.

Maybe the fan was also one of those who burned their Neymar shirt when he left for PSG.

Seri speaks out

17:05: Liverpool target Jean Seri says he’s heard nothing about a proposed move to Barcelona.

"I'm not in contact with anyone,” he told reporters in France after yesterday’s 2-0 win over Guingamp.

"I focus on what I have to do.

“If my agents and Barcelona see each other and talk, I don't know anything about that.

"If it happens, it happens. I'm still a Nice player today, and we'll see what happens later."

Van Dijk a necessity - Gerrard

13.35: Liverpool must complete the signing of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk this summer, according to club legend Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard reckons to compete in the Premier League and in Europe, Jurgen Klopp needs to improve his defence and Van Dijk is needed.

“Yes (he is a necessity),” Gerrard said on BT Sport of Van Dijk.

“For me if you want to compete in the league and in the Champions League. 

“It’s been well documented that we need two or three signings in.”

Barca to pay up front for Seri

12:17: Barcelona will not mess around if they cannot sign Philippe Coutinho.

Spanish papers today claim Barca are considering their options with the Brazilian.

Express Sport understands a £130m bid for Coutinho is in the pipeline.

But if that offer is rejected a move to Nice’s Jean Michel Seri is Barca’s second option.

And Marca claim a move for Seri - who is also wanted at Liverpool - should be easy, with the player having a €40m (£36.7m) release clause.

Barca will even pay the whole figure to Nice in one lump sum in order to get the deal done quickly.

Coutinho's "head at Barca"

11.40: Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho already has his heart set on a move to Barcelona, according to pundit Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Hasselbaink believes Liverpool must take as much money as they can if the Brazilian does not want to stay at the club.

“What is his heart set on doing? Staying at Liverpool or going to Barcelona?" he said on Sky Sports.

“If he says he wants to go to Barcelona, take as much money as you can because he will be a different Coutinho and you need the right Coutinho at Liverpool.”

Draxler bid planned

11:05: Liverpool are one of three clubs preparing a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Julian Draxler.

The Germany international is thought to be on the market this summer and the Mirror claim Liverpool, along with Arsenal and Manchester United are all preparing bids.

Draxler joined PSG in January from Wolfsburg for £40m and the Mirror say he is now available for just £32m, with the club willing to accept a small loss on the player.

Kovacic priority

09:00: Jurgen Klopp has reportedly set his sights on Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic to replace Coutinho if he joins Barcelona.

The La Liga giants have lodged three bids for the Brazil international already this summer with their latest £118million offer being rejected by the Reds yesterday. 

Liverpool have issued a public statement insisting Philippe Coutinho is not for sale at any price. 

However, Spanish outlet Diario Madridista claim Klopp has already earmarked who he wants to replace Coutinho with should he swap Anfield for the Nou Camp. 

It is said Real Madrid's Kovacic is on the German's radar after Liverpool scouts came back to him with positive reports. 

He has since ordered Anfield chiefs to pay whatever Real ask to sign the Croatia international.

Barcelona's new plan

07:40: Barcelona have admitted to Spanish newspaper Barca that they are struggling in their pursuit of Philippe Coutinho.

The club are set to make a £130million bid for the Brazilian.

Liverpool are refusing to sell, however, and Barca are now considering other targets.

Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri - who also a Liverpool target - is now on their radar and is available for a snip at £36.7m.

New Coutinho bid

06:00: Barcelona are preparing to increase their offer for Philippe Coutinho to £130million in the hope that Liverpool will finally agree to sell the Brazilian.

Liverpool flatly turned down a third bid of £119m on Friday but it has since emerged that only £80m was guaranteed.

The rest of the money would have been made up in add-ons, including a payment if Coutinho wins World Player of the Year.

Express Sport understands Barca will vastly improve their offer.

It is understood the Reds will dig their heels in and hold out for a fee of £140m.

Rakitic problem

05:00: Liverpool want Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic included in any deal for Philippe Coutinho - but the La Liga giants would rather give them Andre Gomes instead, reports claim.

Liverpool playmaker Coutinho continues to be chased by Barcelona, who failed with a huge £118million bid for the Brazil international yesterday.

Barcelona want him to fill the void left by Neymar's departure to Paris Saint-Germain and, despite the Reds' insistence he will not be sold, remain hellbent on securing a deal.

Reports have said they are holding out for an offer that would see Ivan Rakitic make the move to Merseyside.

And Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Liverpool DO want Rakitic - but Barcelona are refusing. 

Instead, manager Ernesto Valverde would rather give the Reds midfielder Andre Gomes.