Barcelona are keen to push through a deal to sell Philippe Coutinho in order to raise funds for their incoming transfers, with Arsenal believed to heading the queue.
The Gunners have been increasingly linked with a deal to sign the Brazilian this summer, with his agent Kia Joorabchian and Raul Sanllehi believed to be working hard on the deal.
The Metro claims that Barcelona have given up on swap deals, which were previously expected to be rife during the window, and are now keen to push through the sale of Coutinho in order to raise funds, having been hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sport.es add that they are hoping to wrap up the sale ASAP so they can allocate the cash elsewhere.
His agent also talked up a move to the Premier League this summer, although claimed a decision on his future wouldn’t come before his Champions League campaign was finished.
Speaking to talkSPORT about when Coutinho will decide his next move, Joorabchian explained: ‘After the Champions League, I think it’s not been a secret, we’ve not kept it a secret, that he wants to come back to the Premier League if he can.
‘He loves playing in the Premier League, he adored playing in the Premier league, and I think that’s one of his priorities. But he’s also not at all against staying at Barcelona. So it’s still very much open.’
Would Coutinho be an instant hit in North London?
Patrick
Sale? funny that XD
I sincerely hope we are not influenced by an agent with a vested interest in selling or loaning his client.We should not contemplate buying or entering into a loan for Coutinho.To do so at a time when we desperately need a CB and DM as a priority would be yet another error of judgement by our recruitment team.
That does not surprise me! Barcelona are skint and looking to offload excess wages and raise cash. I would also not be surprised if they return later with a bid for Auba; they see him as a perfect replacement for Louis Suarez.
Let’s to be honest: not Coutinho is the huge problem but his huge salary! Arsenal has a great need for an attacking midfielder, with creativity skills and able to provide assists for attackers! Alongside Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and maybe Dani Ceballos or Thomas Partey, the Brazilian can offer imagination and vision in the middle of the pitch!
If Coutinho accepts a pay cut and Barcelona accepts an exchange with Guendouzi plus €10 million in installments, then everyone will be happy!
Coutinho is a very creative player and provides defence splitting passes to the attackers to feed on. Also, a good taker of free kicks. He did not do well at Barcelona does not mean he is not good, as proved during his Liverpool days. The only problem is his wages. As suggested, if Barca are ready for an exchange with Guendouzi and a certain amount and with Coutinho willing to except a pay cut to play in the League he likes so much and was successful, the deal should go through as it will definitely benefit our club.