Inter Milan are trying to rush through a deal with Liverpool for Philippe Coutinho as reports link them with another Brazilian in the shape of Roberto Firmino.

Reports in Italy say that Inter are keen to get a quick deal done for Coutinho and are pushing for it to happen by the end of the weekend.

Inter are trying to hurry through a deal for Coutinho, with Liverpool still looking his most likely destination.

The Italian giants are desperate to sign 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians before the transfer window shuts on Thursday.

Due to the obviously tricky logistics of an Italian club recruiting a player from Brazil, they need to ensure they can get on with the deal as soon as possible.

They need to sell in order to buy and the sales of Wesley Sneijder, who has sealed an £8.4m move to Galatasary, and Coutinho would fund the €15m move for Paulinho and leave a bit of change left over.

Saints are the only club to get close to Inter’s asking price for Coutinho, as they were reportedly prepared to pay £10.2m for his services.

Liverpool though remain confident of landing the player because they believe Coutinho would prefer a move to Merseyside.

However, reports say that Saints are now eyeing a possible £8.5m swoop for Hoffenheim’s Brazilian midfielder Firmino.

More Saints news in today's Daily Echo