The Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers his closing in on his second major signing of the January transfer window after the club reportedly agreed a fee with the Italian club Inter Milan over the sale of the Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best young prospects in world football, but he has found first team opportunities limited at the Italian club. He spent the last season on loan at the Spanish club Espanyol, but it has failed to make him be one of the first choice players in the eyes of the manager Andrea Stramaccioni.

The Premier league club Southampton were also interested in securing his services, but it is thought that the player prefers a move to Liverpool despite having worked with the new Southampton manager at Espanyol last season. Liverpool spent £ 12 million in the January transfer window on the striker Daniel Sturridge. They have agreed an £ 8 million fee with Inter Milan for Coutinho, thus taking the total spending to more than £ 20 million. Sturridge has made an instant impact that Anfield by scoring in important matches. Rodgers will be hoping that Coutinho produces the same kind of impact as well.

"We hope to do some business between now and the end of the month. The owners have been brilliant in supporting (me), we knew we were maybe a little bit short in the summer. We all agreed this was a month we would try to reinforce, if we could," said the Liverpool manager. Even though Liverpool struggled initially under Brendan Rodgers, results have picked up of late. They are currently only a few places below the top four positions, which will provide them with Champions League football for the first time in four years. Liverpool are seventh in the Premier league.