Coutinho makes Liverpool move

Liverpool have confirmed midfielder Philippe Coutinho has moved to Anfield from Inter Milan on a long-term contract.



The 20-year-old becomes Liverpool's second signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of striker Daniel Sturridge at the start of the month.



Coutinho said: "I'm feeling very happy, it's a very important step in my career and I'm expecting to come here and play good football to give my contribution on the pitch.



"Liverpool is a great club with great players. We've always heard about Liverpool's history in Brazil.



"They are the club that have been interested in me and that have showed this interest so I know they believe in me and my football."



Coutinho, who has one cap for Brazil, began his career at Vasco da Gama before moving to Inter Milan in 2010 - and the player also enjoyed a loan spell at Espanyol.



Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre said: "We're always delighted when we get the players we go after.



"It has been a successful transfer window for us, coming off the back of acquiring Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and now Philippe from Inter Milan.



"I think that bodes well for us for the rest of the season and the future."

Milan president, PL is the right place for Coutinho

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti believes the deal to take Philippe Coutinho to Liverpool will work out well for everyone.



It emerged earlier this week that the Reds were closing in on a move for the winger after agreeing a fee with the Serie A club.



And it appears Inter are already planning for the future without Coutinho after Moratti confirmed that they would look to use the money from his sale to strengthen the squad.



He told Sky Italia: "The deal for Coutinho to Liverpool is an opportunity both for Inter and both for the player.



"We could be happy with the economic proposal and Coutinho could find the space he hasn't here. And then we'll have the opportunity to reinforce the team".



If the deal is completed, Coutinho would become the club's second signing of this transfer window following the £12million capture of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

Coutinho came through the youth system at Vasco da Gama before joining Inter at the age of 18.



He spent the second half of last season on loan at Espanyol, where he worked with new Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino.



Pochettino's recent appointment at Saints led to speculation linking Coutinho with the South Coast club but it is understand he has expressed a preference for Anfield.




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Redknapp: I was offered Sneijder

Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder has been offered by an agent to relegation-haunted QPR, according to their manager Harry Redknapp.



The 28-year-old Holland international has been linked with a host of Barclays Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool, as the Italian giants look to get him off their wage bill.



Redknapp told The Sun: "I was asked by one agent if I wanted to sign Sneijder. Of course I do. However, he's on about £200,000 a week and now he wants to join QPR? I won't name the agent, but let's just say I think a deal is unlikely."



Inter have asked Sneijder to take a pay cut if he wants to stay at the club, something he has not agreed to do.

Mourinho 'happiest at Inter'

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Inter Milan was the place that made him the happiest, but says his career would not have been complete without Real Madrid.

The Portuguese manager, 49, left Inter after his side famously defeated Spanish giants Barcelona on their way to their first European Cup title for 45 years.



Despite great success at Porto, Chelsea and Madrid, the man known as 'the Special One' says Inter is the place that gave him the most pleasure.



Since joining Madrid he has guided Los Blancos to their first domestic title since 2008, as well as success in the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.



"Inter is the club where I liked most to stay, no one else gave me the same happiness. When I left, I cried more than once, I will belong to the Nerazzurri family forever," said Mourinho.



"I wondered why I left, and now I try to explain it. Friends told me that I could be a great coach, but without working for Real Madrid there would be a hole (in my career).



"It's why I got busy with Florentino Perez, but I always miss Inter."

Manchester City hit man wants to join Balotelli

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised his former Inter Milan teammate Mario Balotelli profusely and has claimed that the Italian wants to link up with him at Paris St. Germain.



The striker who recently scored a wonder goal against England in an international friendly spoke to the Italian media, saying that Balotelli, “is a player with great talent and, given his age and has a huge potential. He may be one of the best strikers in the world. He has matured a lot and I think he wants me to play with me again, now at PSG.”



Balotelli is facing a great deal of pressure at Manchester City and seems to be 4th in the pecking order with his consistent lack of professionalism further creating problems between him and City boss Roberto Mancini. The former Inter Milan forward has made just 5 starts this season and he may find himself making a move in January if PSG are able to place a strong bid on the table.



The Italian has scored just 2 goals for his club this season and has failed to make a telling impact on his team’s fortunes, unlike super sub Edin Dzeko. With the likes of AC Milan and Inter Milan also allegedly keen to sign Balotelli, we may well see him the Champions in January.