Coutinho tipped to be a success (From Daily Echo)

Coutinho tipped to be a success

10:26am Monday 28th January 2013 in Saints News

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes a move to the Premier League would represent a “great opportunity” for Philippe Coutinho.

Liverpool have agreed an £8.5million fee with Inter for their Brazilian playmaker, who has also attracted interest from Saints.

Coutinho, 20, is expected to travel to Liverpool early this week to complete a medical and other formalities, and he goes with Moratti’s blessing.

“There are opportunities there to be seized. Sometimes certain players need the chance to play more,” Moratti said.

“And that's why I think this could be a great opportunity for a Coutinho, and a deal that could go very well for us too.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had said on Friday he was still looking to add to his squad with one or two new players before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Rodgers was unwilling to comment on speculation linking the club with Coutinho but it is now understand the club have succeeded with an approach after previous advances were rejected.

Liverpool will also need to apply for a work permit for the player.

If the deal is completed, Coutinho would become the club’s second signing of this transfer window following the £12million capture of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Coutinho came through the youth system at Vasco da Gama before joining Inter at the age of 18.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Espanyol, where he worked with new Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino’s appointment at Saints led to speculation linking Coutinho, but it is understood he would prefer to move to Anfield.