Hot property: Southampton are ready to join the chase for Inter’s Philippe Coutinho (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool’s move for Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho is in danger of being hijacked by ambitious Southampton.

The Saints new boss Mauricio Pochettino is a big fan of the Brazillian schemer and, according to reports in Italy, is ready to meet Inter’s £10million asking price.

Liverpool were in pole position to land the 20-year-old and are thought to be prepared to pay £8million to get their man, after an initial offer of around £5million was turned down.

Ambitious: Mauricio Pochettino is keen to put his stamp on Southampton (Picture: AP)

However, with chairman Nicola Cortese keen to flex his financial muscle following Pochettino’s appointment last week, Southampton are set to gazump the Reds by going straight in with the asking price.




If the Saints are successful it would be the second time in two weeks that they beat Liverpool to the punch after they stole Norwegian defender Vegard Forren from under the Merseysider’s noses.

Coutinho has caught the eye after making 15 appearances for the Nerazzurri this season, scoring two goals.

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