Real Madrid transfer rumour: Zinedine Zidane eyes Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool winger Philippe Coutinho is reportedly one of the players on the list of potential targets of Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Madrid’s potential transfer list includes the likes of David de Gea, Eden Hazard, Julian Draxler, Mauro Icardi and the Liverpool star, as Los Blancos look to rebuild and strengthen their squad.

Despite having one of the strongest squads in La Liga and in world football, Real Madrid haven’t won the Spanish league in four seasons, which might force Perez to look beyond the resources available at hand, regardless of the fact that they won the Champions League for a record 10th and 11th time.

Coutinho has had a good start at Anfield this season and is an integral player in Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s new-look team. The Brazilian attacking midfielder joined Liverpool in January 2013 from Inter Milan in a deal worth £8.5m.

The Brazilian was one of the key players under former Reds manager Brendan Rogers and has maintained his form under current manager Jurgen Klopp.

With James Rodriguez’s future still uncertain and with speculation regarding his move out of the Santiago Bernabeu in every transfer window, Coutinho may be the ideal one to replace Rodriguez, if the Colombian superstar was allowed to leave the club.

Real Madrid are currently facing transfer embargo which does not allow them to sign or register players, due to an ongoing investigation into the club’s youth transfer policies. They are currently set to appeal the charge and if they emerge successful, Madrid could go on to sign players to strengthen their squad.

The diminutive player can be deployed as a No. 10 behind the striker, a second striker or on the wing, and is a playmaker who can wreak havoc across the pitch with his abilities.

Due to his dribbling skills, pace and agility, the player has been compared to Ronaldinho by his former manager Mauricio Pochettino, during his time on loan at Spanish club Espanyol.

Often referred to as 'Little Magician' by Liverpool fans, Coutinho has quick feet, can shoot with either foot and is excellent from set-plays, too.

However, with Liverpool growing under Klopp and becoming a tighter, stronger unit, it seems highly unlikely that the Reds will sell their prized asset or let him go on the cheap.

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