Transfer news today: Coutinho linked with shock Man Utd switch (Express)

Twelve months to the day after he swapped Liverpool for Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho's future in Spain is in question.

The Brazilian has been left out of the Catalans' starting lineup recently, with Ernesto Valverde currently preferring Ousmane Dembele to the 26-year-old playmaker.

And now it's been reported that United could look to bring him back to the Premier League this month.

In a report published by the Manchester Evening News, it's claimed that United have been mooted as one of four teams interested in an unlikely switch for the £100million star.

It's claimed that Caught Offside reckon Coutinho is being targeted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain also.

Barcelona spent big to land the former Kop star last year, and with their focus split on retaining La Liga and winning the Champions League, it seems unlikely he would be allowed to leave for anything but an increase on their vast outlay.

Additionally, it's believed that United are still prioritising a centre-half. As such, if Coutinho's future is in doubt, it seems extremely unlikely he'll be pitching up at United.

And if Ernesto Valverde is to be believed, then he's not heading anywhere in fact: "Barca signed him because he's one of the best in the world and he's going to give us a lot. He's got many years left on his contract and a lot to give to Barcelona."

(That's probably that then to be fair).

Here are some of the other key transfer stories that you may have missed today…

Dortmund join Liverpool and Bayern in Werner chase

Germany striker Timo Werner has emerged as a target for Borussia Dortmund - who are now looking to pip Liverpool and Bayern Munich to the RB Leipzig striker.

Werner has scored 11 goals in 17 Bundesliga games this term but is out of contract in 2020 and RBL have told him that they will look to sell unless he signs a new deal.

The upstarts intention on that front is to cash in during the summer, but now  Bild  reports BVB will move £40million and Maximilian Philipp to do a deal now.

Dortmund currently lead the Bundesliga by six points.

Maja told to stay at Sunderland

Sunderland boss Jack Ross has told Josh Maja that he should stay at the Stadium of Light.

The young striker, who has 15 goals this season, is out of contract in the summer and Premier League and Bundesliga clubs are interested in nicking him this month.

Ross said: “I’ve forged a good relationship with Josh in a short space of time and I genuinely care about his career and how he progresses, and I would love that to be with us.

“He is a really, really strong man and he’s serious about his football as well.

“He’s found himself in a situation which develops in football on a daily basis due to the scrutiny we’re under 24/7.

“For him, it’s another learning experience and I would say irrespective of how the situation pans out, it will be of benefit to him for the rest of his career."

Abraham closing on Wolves move

Tammy Abraham didn't train with Aston Villa on Monday and is set to finalise his defection to Wolves in the next 48 hours.

Villa's on-loan Chelsea striker, 21, was omitted from their FA Cup defeat to Swansea on Saturday.

But Villa boss Dean Smith claimed post-match he expected the hitman, who has 16 goals in 20 games, to report for training Monday morning.

Yet Mirror Sport understands the forward did not train with Villa's first team squad and Molineux officials now hope to persuade Chelsea to cancel Abraham's loan to Villa and loan him to them instead.