Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is subject of interest from a host of Premier League clubs, according to talkSPORT.
The Brazilian international has surely had eyes for the exit door since the Catalan club confirmed the signing of World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.
It was reported earlier today, as per L’Equipe, that Arsenal had agreed a loan deal with Barcelona for Coutinho which would end the rumours of an Anfield return.
The news from talkSPORT conflicts with that slightly as they claim Liverpool, Manchester United and Spurs are set to rival the Gunners for Coutinho’s signature.
MORE: Phil Coutinho agrees to join Arsenal on loan, according to L’Equipe
Opinion
Right – this is getting a little daft. One source says this, another says that, and nobody can seem to agree on anything regarding Coutinho.
Last month, Coutinho’s agent said that the Brazilian would only consider joining Liverpool if he was to return to England. “United is a great club, I have players there and I have all the respect for them, but as far as Philippe goes it would be an extremely difficult to a near-impossible move,” he told talkSPORT.
“It would be very difficult for Philippe to play for any of Liverpool’s rivals, because he has such a great affinity towards Liverpool. His time there was fantastic.”
If Phil’s agent is to be trusted, Arsenal and Spurs would surely be included on Liverpool’s list of rivals and therefore it’d be unlikely he’d consider it.
While it would be a disaster to see the ‘little magician’ tearing it up at the Emirates, I don’t think Jurgen Klopp would throw money at a deal like this just to stop that from happening.
Personally, I’d be up for it – I think it’d be great to have him back in the squad. I don’t know where he’ll end up, but I don’t think Coutinho is on his way back to Liverpool.