Liverpool make 'final push' to seal a deal for Fulham wonder kid Fabio Carvalho

After Anfield insiders insisted the club would not make any major signings in this month's transfer window at the start of January, they were forced to shift that stance when it became clear their big summer transfer target may be on his way to Spurs.

Liverpool were looking to sign Porto's Colombian winger Luis Díaz this summer, but they changed that stance and made their move now after it emerged he was close to signing for their Premier League rivals.

The Díaz deal was confirmed on Sunday and now it has emerged they are also pushing to sign midfielder Carvalho on transfer deadline day.

Portuguese-born, Carvalho has represented England at junior international level and talks are underway over a deal that will see the player remain at Fulham for the rest of this season as they look to seal a return to the Premier League.

While the player will be out of contract this summer, he could move to a club outside Europe that would ensure they are entitled to collect compensation.

Meanwhile, Liverpool would be forced to sign a deal that would leave them open to paying a hefty valuation fee that would be set by a transfer tribunal panel.

That explains why Liverpool are keen to seal a deal now and are willing to pay a fee of £5million to secure Carvalho's signature now.

Speaking last week, Fulham boss Marco Silva insisted Carvalho would not leave the club this month, but a deal with Liverpool could still be struck.

"Fabio will be with us until the end of the season," Silva said. "I would like to see him here for more years.

"From day one I have been trying to keep him. It is not a surprise that clubs are interested in Fabio. We are talking about a young player with big talent.

"The situation is not easy because he is in the last year of his contract, but that is the reality. It is out of our plans for him to leave the club in this window. It has been difficult for us to renew with him, but we are trying.

"It is always difficult with a player of this talent - even with a contract it is difficult to keep him, and without it is even worse. But Fabio will be with us until the end of this season."

The final decision on Carvalho's future will be made by the player and his agent, with Fulham and Liverpool believed to be ready to agree on a deal that needs to be ratified by the transfer deadline on Monday night.