Philippe Coutinho is ready to turn his back on Liverpool and choose Barcelona over Real Madrid as both La Liga giants chase the Brazilian's signature, according to reports in Spain.

Brendan Rodgers was sacked on Sunday night and despite the likely arrival of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Coutinho is reportedly happy to leave the club in the January transfer window.

Barcelona are known admirers of the intelligent playmaker and the campaign to get him to the Nou Camp has already begun with good friend and Barcelona forward Neymar insisting Coutinho would be a perfect fit for the club.

Sport claim Philippe Coutinho will choose Barcelona over Real Madrid and could leave Liverpool in January

Countinho looks to avoid the challenge of Gareth Barry during Sunday's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park

Barcelona-based newspaper Sport are reporting on Tuesday morning that Real Madrid are prepared to go head-to-head with Barca in the pursuit of Coutinho who, they say, would cost around £22million.

But Sport claim the 23-year-old prefers a move to the Champions of Europe. 'Coutinho chooses Barca,' reads the headline on the front page of Tuesday's paper.

'Madrid are also willing to push hard for him,' Sport continues. The paper also make reference to Coutinho's friendship with fellow Brazilian Neymar, an important factor in the potential deal.

One of Klopp's first jobs upon his arrival at Anfield is likely to be convincing Coutinho, who only signed a new long-term contract at the club at the start of this year, that his future lies with Liverpool.

Keylor Navas sets off for Costa Rica (left) and Mundo Deportivo report Neymar contract talks are on hold

Elsewhere in Spain Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas was pictured at the airport with his wife Andrea Salas as the pair headed back to Costa Rica, where the shot-stopper will be in action for the national team against South Africa before facing the United States.

'Keylor goes to Costa Rica happy with his performance in the derby,' the headline reads. Navas made a string of saves as Real were held by local rivals Atletico to a 1-1 draw at Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo report that contract talks between Neymar and Barcelona will be put on hold until the investigation into the Brazilian's alleged tax evasion is concluded.

Neymar's current deal expires in 2018 and the club want to tie him to a new long-term deal but are being made to wait according to the reports.

La Gazzetta dello Sport describe Milan as a club in 'crisis' while Tuttosport report on the 'chaos' at the club

Over in Serie A, the Italian papers are critical of AC Milan after they were thrashed 4-0 by Napoli at the San Siro over the weekend, a result that leaves them languishing in mid-table despite heavy investment in the summer.

The club spent more than £60m during the transfer window on the likes of Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca. The headline on La Gazzetta dello Sport read: 'Crisis Milan: Ninety million (Euros) for nothing?'