LIVERPOOL have had an £8.5m bid accepted for Saints target Philippe Coutinho.

Saints were reportedly prepared to pay £10.2m for the Inter Milan midfielder but their interest cooled when it became clear the player was holding out for a move to Merseyside.

Cash-strapped Inter need to sell the 20-year-old Brazil international in order to sign 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians before the transfer window shuts.

The sales of Wesley Sneijder, who has sealed an £8.4m move to Galatasary, and Coutinho would easily fund the €15m move for Paulinho