Liverpool: Today's Transfer News (30/01/2013)

Vital Liverpool brings you all the latest LFC related transfer news and gossip. See who's rumoured to be coming and going today...

With the January transfer window into its final few days we've decided to compile all the daily Liverpool-related news and gossip in one place. Vital Liverpool will also again have a live deadline day blog to bring you any last minute rumours and completed deals as they happen. Make sure you come back to this page regularly throughout the day as it will be updated as stories emerge and develop.

Previous Transfer News
Transfer News: 25/01/2013
Transfer News: 26/01/2013
Transfer News: 27/01/2013
Transfer News: 28/01/2013
Transfer News: 29/01/2013

Here's what's circulating today:

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Name: Philippe Coutinho
Club: Inter Milan
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Midfield
Value: £8-£10m

Done deal

Liverpool FC have this afternoon confirmed the signing of Brazilian international Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan.

After a protracted chase, Coutinho becomes the club's second confirmed capture of the current transfer window following the previous arrival of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

The 20-year-old, who has been handed the number 10 shirt recently vacated by Joe Cole, has signed a long-term contract after passing a medical and being granted a work permit.

After putting pen to paper the player spoke to Liverpoolfc.com saying: "I'm feeling very happy, it's a very important step in my career and I'm expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch.

"Liverpool is a great club with great players. We've always heard about Liverpool's history in Brazil. They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football."

Coutinho cost the Reds £8.6m (according to the well sourced Liverpool ECHO) and is available to make his debut at Manchester City on Sunday.

Source: Liverpool FC

Vital Verdict
A great signing with bundles of talent and potential. The deal has taken some time to complete but it's understandable the club should try to get the best deal possible, especially considering the amount of expensive failures purchased in recent years. The prospect of Coutinho supporting fellow South American Luis Suarez will excite many fans and, despite being just 20, he has the quality to make an instant impact.

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Name: Jack Butland
Club: Birmingham City
Nationality: English
Position: Goalkeeper
Value: £3-£5m

Chelsea have shown a strong interest in rumoured Liverpool target Jack Butland, reports The Times today.

The highly-regarded England international is expected to leave Birmingham City shortly and Chelsea have apparently made a firm enquiry for his services.

Despite rejecting a £6m offer from Southampton in the summer, financially-troubled Birmingham are now believed to be ready to accept as little as £3.5m for the 19-year-old.

If the Londoners do make a concrete offer, and it's accepted, it is not guaranteed that Butland will move to Stamford Bridge however. The shot stopper is said to prefer a club who can offer him first-team football in the short-term as well as in the future

With Peter Cech firmly established between the Chelsea sticks, and highly regarded Belgium international Thibaut Courtois also on their books, it could pave the way for other clubs, including Stoke City and Fulham, to purchase the player.

The Times

Vital Verdict
There is no doubt that Butland has heaps of potential but Liverpool know first-hand about buying young English goalkeepers who, for one reason or another, fail to live up to the hype (Chris Kirkland and Scott Carson). That said, Liverpool certainly need to strengthen the position especially if current first-choice Pepe Reina decides to return to boyhood club Barcelona in the summer. Therefore acquiring Butland would be a good move.

Likelihood (out of 5):

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