Liverpool ask La Liga side to delay Brazilians transfer as they eye two star players

Brazil international midfielder Philippe Coutinho looks ready to seal a £148million move to FC Barcelona before the summer transfer window closes on Thursday, but his club Liverpool are reportedly asking that the transfer is delayed as they push hard to sign a replacement in Frenchman Thomas Lemar or Englishman Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Liverpool have held talks with Ligue 1 side Monaco over Thomas Lemar, with various speculations of a huge-money offer and the bid of Belgian Divock Origi on a season long loan as part of the transfer, though it remains to be seen if it will be enough.

AS Monaco have so far rejected offers in Lemar all summer, with Premier League side Arsenal and Manchester United also admirers of the 21-year-old, who played a huge role in the Monaco’s Ligue 1 title triumph last season.

Still, the Reds could be presented with a cheaper transfer option in Arsenal winger Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is interested in leaving Arsenal for a transfer to Anfield Stadium after rejecting an offer from the Blues.

As per Yahoo Sport, the Red’s interest in signing the attacking midfielder’s replacement is the main reason behind the delay on Coutinho’s move to Barcelona, though the transfer does now look set to materialize.

The report states that the Brazilian has said he will be a Barcelona player this week, with Coutinho causing a stir after being found to be ‘in good condition to play football’ for his Country despite not yet playing for the Reds this season.