Liverpool reportedly lining up €40m Philippe Coutinho replacement

With the transfer deadline edging closer, Liverpool will need to snap up someone to fill the seemingly inevitable Philippe Coutinho void soon.

August 31 is the magic date when clubs can no longer buy and sell players, and Philippe Coutinho handing in a transfer request is only part of Liverpool's problems right now. The Brazilian starlet s expected to leave Anfield soon with Barcelona cited as one of the more likely destinations. Plus Adam Lallana's injury has left the Reds' midfield looked a little bare. Just take a look at the squad they've selected for their Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim. https://twitter.com/LFC/status/897095687330025472 Yikes! With Jurgen Klopp having a frustrating time pursuing Leipzig talisman Naby Keita, the club have registered an interest in a modestly-priced alternative by the name of Jean Seri, according to the Guardian‘s Ed Aarons. 26-year-old Seri scored seven goals and made nine assists for Nice in the 2016/17 Ligue 1 campaign. He togs out at international level for the Ivory Coast and his reported price tag of €40 million makes him well within Liverpool's price range too. https://twitter.com/ed_aarons/status/897067534133940225 Seri's talents are being noticed by some marquee names. Being labelled the 'African Xavi' saw him catch the eye of the Barcelona legend. The original Xavi was very impressed with what he saw, as he told Eurosport.

"I watched matches and a ton of videos. I didn’t know him… and I was spellbound. I’m not used to seeing such a talent in midfield." “Short passing, long passing, tactical intelligence, distance shooting, personality, organising play, that last magic pass…‘madre mia!’

High praise indeed.