Liverpool have agreed a fee with Inter for Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, Press Association Sport reported last night.

The Merseyside club are thought to be prepared to pay £8.5million for the 20-year-old, who was also reported to have attracted interest from Southampton.

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 understood the club have succeeded with an approach after previous advances were rejected.

Coutinho is now expected to travel to Liverpool thist week for a medical and to complete other formalities. 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 £12 million capture of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Rodgers, at his press conference to preview today’s FA Cup tie at Oldham, said: “We hope to do some business between now and the end of the month. The owners have been brilliant in supporting (me).”