Transfer Centre

Liverpool to replace Philippe Coutinho with Riyad Mahrez?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 06 January 2018

Liverpool to replace Coutinho with Mahrez?

Liverpool will reportedly make an offer for Leicester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez if Philippe Coutinho completes a move to Barcelona.

Liverpool have reportedly identified Leicester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez as a potential target for the January window.

As it stands, Liverpool are well stocked for creative midfielders in the final third, but star man Philippe Coutinho has been strongly linked with a switch to Barcelona before the end of the month.

Should a transfer go through, Liverpool will allegedly receive £106m plus add-ons and it appears that manager Jurgen Klopp has already decided on one of his possible replacements for the Brazilian.

According to L'Equipe, Liverpool will make an approach for Mahrez, who still wants to leave the King Power Stadium to take on a new challenge.

Leicester will demand in excess of £40m for a player who helped the club win the Premier League title in 2016, but the Foxes are said to have a gentleman's agreement in place with the Algerian regarding his future sale.

Despite expressing a desire to move to another club, Mahrez has enjoyed an excellent campaign with seven goals and seven assists coming from 22 appearances in the Premier League.