Liverpool transfer news and rumours: Thomas Lemar hopes boosted, Philippe Coutinho claims denied

A round-up of the latest stories surrounding ins and outs at Anfield

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AS Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim has accepted that the “many things could happen” in the remainder of the January transfer window as winger Thomas Lemar continues to attract interest from Liverpool.

Lemar, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal, has been touted as a first-choice replacement for Philippe Coutinho after the playmaker completed his long-awaited £142m move to Barcelona at the weekend.

Vadim Vasilyev, Monaco’s vice president, has previously poured cold water over the suggestion that Lemar could leave the club this month and have suggested that a summer move is far more likely.

Jardim reiterated this stance on Monday but also admitted that a winter deal could not be fully ruled out. “We are not used to selling in the winter,” he said. “But the transfer window lasts until the end of the month and many things can happen.”

Elsewhere, Liverpool have rubbished Jordi Mestre’s claims that Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was facilitated by a lowering of the playmaker’s asking price.

Barcelona were frustrated in three attempts to sign Coutinho last summer, with Liverpool rejecting all offers out of hand.

On Monday, Mestre, Barcelona’s vice president, suggested that a deal for Coutinho became possible in January after “a substantial reduction in the cost of this transfer”, adding: “There has been a very important reduction, even though we cannot publicly give the figures.”

However, according to The Times, Liverpool have flatly denied the Barcelona official’s remarks, insisting that no price was set for Coutinho during the summer.

FInally, highly-rated youngster Cameron Brannagan is poised to complete a move to League One outfit Oxford United.

Brannagan played eight times under Jurgen Klopp during the 2015-16 season and appeared to have a bright future at Anfield but has seen his playing time limited.

The 21-year-old is now eager to play first-team football elsewhere and is expected to sign a two-and-a-half year contract at Pep Clotet’s Oxford in the coming days.