Phil Coutinho transfer news: Arsenal not interested; Barcelona offer the Brazilian to other Premier League sides including Man Utd as the English summer nears its end.
Earlier in the day it was reported that Arsenal were interested in bringing Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho to the Emirates. However, reports have now emerged that the North London club were never interested in the attacking midfielder to begin with. Instead it has emerged that their Premier League Rivals are keen to get Coutinho’s signatures.
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ESPN have reported that Arsenal were never in the run for Coutinho despite reports suggesting that a deal was close to completion. Instead they have reported that London Rivals Tottenham are very eager to have him play at the White Hart Lane.
Arsenal believe that they have a lot of attacking options and are instead looking to recruit a defender. The move will have to be a loan on account of the Gunners exhausting their transfer budget already.
They are looking to sign RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano or Juventus’ Daniele Rugani. However, Upamecano’s deal has proven to be very complicated and they have turned all their attention towards Rugani now.
United or Tottenham?
Coutinho has not fared well at the Camp Nou and Barcelona are looking to shift him out. However, his price tag and weekly wages means it has become increasingly difficult to look for a suitor. They have offered the Brazilian to both Manchester United and Tottenham.
United are not looking to bring in Coutinho at the moment. However, they are keeping their options open. Tottenham though, remain the likelier destination of the two. Coutinho played under Mauricio Pochettino at Espanyol and has maintained a great relationship with the Argentine coach ever since.
According to ESPN, Coutinho’s chances at returning to England are very low but not impossible. It will however, rely on a lot of factors that neither of the two have any control over. United will have to fail to bring in Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon and then purchase Christian Eriksen. Which will then give Spurs the funds to bid for Coutinho. Apart from all of this, the Brazilian will also have to agree to take a wage cut or possibly even go out on a loan. And all of this needs to be ironed out by August 8th, the day the English Transfer window closes.
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