Liverpool target Thomas Lemar and Riyad Mahrez
Liverpool are ready for the departure of Phillippe Coutinho to Barcelona as they target Monaco’s Thomas Lemar or Riyad Mahrez as a back-up, according to The independent.
Phillippe Coutinho transfer to Catalan club is edging closer each day as Barcelona are hoping to complete a deal for the Brazilian playmaker by next week, according to Sky Sports.
Looking at the odds, the Ladbrokes betting review has both deals likely to happen.
The Reds boards are still trying to persuade the 25-year-old to stay at Anfield but have prepared for a possibility of him leaving, with Leicester’s Mahrez and French winger Thomas Lemar consider as replacements.
Monaco were close to selling Lemar last summer, with Arsenal agreeing on a fee in excess of £100m but fell through at the last minute and Liverpool saw a late £75 million bid rejected as Ligue 1 champions were keen to keep hold of him.
Thomas Lemar was keen on a move to the Premier League and still is, with The Reds preparing to go after the French International again this window but it could take a bid of £100 million to persuade Monaco to sell.
Liverpool are also considering looking for a goalkeeper with Jan Oblak, who has £100 million release clause, at the top of their list but Stoke’s Jack Butland and Roma’s Alisson are also on the list.