Arsenal report: Agent of Barcelona star wants his client to join Gunners ahead of Tottenham

Philippe Coutinho
(Image credit: PA)

Arsenal is the preferred destination of Philippe Coutinho as the Barcelona man seeks a move in January, according to reports.

The Brazilian is desperate to seal an exit from the Camp Nou as soon as possible.

His dream move to the Catalan giants in January 2018 quickly became a nightmare, with Coutinho failing to live up to his £142m transfer fee.

The attacking midfielder continues to struggle for game time at Barcelona, where he has yet to convince new manager Xavi Hernandez of his worth.

Coutinho has started just five matches in La Liga this term, and only one of those came after Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman at the helm.

The 29-year-old played the best football of his career in the Premier League.

But while a second spell at Liverpool is highly unlikely, Coutinho is keen to return to the English game.

According to Sport, the player's representatives have been in contact with Arsenal over a potential January move.

The Gunners are said to have enquired about the terms of any such deal, and Coutinho's agents are planning to travel to England for more talks.

Fichajes have claimed that the purported move has the backing of Mikel Arteta.

And while Tottenham and Newcastle have also been linked with the ex-Liverpool man, Arsenal is the club he would like to join most.

These rumours should probably be taken with a pinch of salt, however.

There is no obvious place in the Arsenal team for Coutinho, with Martin Odegaard excelling at No.10 and Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in fine form as wide forwards.

Emile Smith Rowe has also been playing well of late, despite often starting as a substitute.

Arsenal have sought to lower the average of their squad in recent transfer windows.

They have focused their recruitment on young, up-and-coming, hungry players, and signing Coutinho - even on loan - would mark a departure from that.

The Brazilian may well be desperate to return to the Premier League, but a second spell in the division might not come with Arsenal.

Subscribe to FourFourTwo today and save over a third on standard price.

NOW READ...

LIST FourFourTwo's top 100 football grounds in Britain

PREMIER LEAGUE Live streams: How to watch every game from anywhere in the world

LATEST MAG 2021 Awards! Jorginho, Rice, Brereton Diaz, Hayes, Evra exclusives + Messi, Lewandowski, Saint & Greavsie + EXCLUSIVE 2022 calendar

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Read more
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Arsenal FC at Molineux on January 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Arsenal star admits he wants transfer but says 'it's not just my decision'
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with target Dani Olmo inset
Arsenal 'first to show interest' in Dani Olmo, as Mikel Arteta discusses 'unbelievable opportunity': report
Arsenal target Roberto Firmino of Al Ahli SFC celebrates at the end of the AFC Champions League elite west football match between Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli SFC at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on February 3, 2024.
Arsenal report: Incredible Roberto Firmino deal 'close', following recent Mikel Arteta 'hint'
Mikel Arteta is likely to see his side finish 2nd in the Premier League for the second successive season
Arsenal star spent the international break in talks with another club: report
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal 'pushing hard' to secure backroom signing from PSG: report
Latest in Stories
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed