Real Madrid to hijack Coutinho transfer

Real Madrid are joining the battle for Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho.

Coutinho is a confirmed January target for Barcelona.

However, El Mundo Deportivo says Real have contacted the Reds about the Brazilian’s availability, and have shown their interest in signing him.

Real will not be able to make the deal in January, which is when Barcelona are likely to act, and will need to sell a big-name to fit him in.

PSG are another side interested in signing Coutinho, 25, but they, too, are unlikely to attempt a deal in the winter window, given their outlandish spending in the summer.

Coutinho is understood to want a move to Barcelona above anyone else — and he has made that clear to Jurgen Klopp.