Liverpool are reported to be interested in signing Brazilian teenager Thiago Maia from Santos.

The 19-year-old plays as a deep-lying midfielder and should he make his way to Anfield, the Brazilian would compete with Emre Can and Lucas for the position alongside captain Jordan Henderson.

Maia has played for the Brazilian national side at U17, U20 and U23 level and has racked up 90 senior appearances for Santos during his three years in Brazil’s top flight.

A number of European clubs are said to have the 19-year-old in their sights, however.

According to ESPN Brazil, Monaco, Schalke and Napoli are similarly interested in the midfielder while Santos has already rejected an offer worth €18m from Zenit St Peterburg.

Now the Brazilian season is over, Maia is currently taking a break before the season starts back in January. "I'm on vacation, it's been a lot of work, but a very important year in my career," he said.

"I was an Olympic champion and, in Santos, we had a regular season, the São Paulo title and the Brazilian runner-up. The Saints and my representatives decide if it's time for a transfer.

If it's to stay, the supporter can rest easy, I want to repeat the good season, play Libertadores and be a champion."

Meanwhile, Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign another teenage talent: Nantes' Amine Harit.

Calciomercato reports that the Reds are in a four-way battle to sign the winger who has been labelled the ‘new Hatem Ben Arfa’.

It’s understood the club has been monitoring the 19-year-old and will move to sign the player when the transfer window opens in January.

Harit has clocked up 18 appearances in all competitions for Nantes this season and bagged his first league goal in Friday’s 2-0 win over Angers.

Liverpool January transfer targets Show all 7 1 /7 Liverpool January transfer targets Liverpool January transfer targets Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) The Merseyside club failed with an £11m bid for the 18-year-old striker in the summer, but may try their hand at signing him again this January. Pulisic is one of Europe's most highly-rated teenagers, having already made his international debut for the United States. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) It would not be a transfer window without Liverpool being linked with somebody from Southampton. This time it's Van Dijk, who has emerged as one of the Premier League's best centre-halves since arriving on the south coast from Celtic. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen to strengthen his defence and the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back would be a good addition for the Reds. The German Tah is only 20 years of age but has impressed for both club and country this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Paul-Georges Ntep (Rennes) The left-midfielder’s deal at Rennes expires at the end of the season and so he will be free to sign a pre-contract in January. A strong dribbler of the ball, Ntep has been made two appearances for France. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Seeing as Roberto Firmino is not a natural no. 9 and Daniel Sturridge has fallen out of favour, Liverpool have been linked with several strikers including French forward Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker is quick, explosive and has already reached double figures this season. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) The Athletic Bilbao youngster signed a new contract in January with a release clause of €50m, but the rumours linking him with Anfield have not died down. The 22-year-old would certainly fit in with Jurgen Klopp’s style of play. Getty Liverpool January transfer targets Mahmoud Dahoud (Borussia Monchengladbach) Jurgen Klopp has long admired the Germany under-21 midfielder, who plies his trade with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany. Klopp will have to do battle with former club Dortmund to sign the German, while Italian giants Juventus are also interested. Getty

Lastly, the club is ready to offer a Philippe Coutinho a new contract – despite agreeing to one just 18 months ago.

With PSG and Barcelona both interested in the Brazilian, Liverpool are keen to tie down Coutinho.