Arsenal are reportedly still interested in Barcelona midfielder Phillipe Coutinho but only if there is good news involving his knee injury.
The Gunners endured a torrid 2020/21 campaign, finishing eighth in the Premier League whilst also falling to former boss Unai Emery’s Villarreal side in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Therefore, head coach Mikel Arteta is reportedly willing to be ruthless in the transfer market, ready to offload a number of underperforming players in an attempt to raise funds for fresh blood in the coming months.
football.london understands that chief executive Edu is planning on bringing in at least five new faces to the Emirates this summer, with moves for two midfielders, two full-backs and a centre-back all potentially on the cards.
The Brazilian is said to be interested in a number of Premier League proven players – with the likes of Brighton’s Ben White and Leicester’s James Maddison touted as targets.
Another player with Premier League experience that the Gunners have been linked with is Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
The Gunners seem to be linked with the former Liverpool midfielder every transfer window and any interest they have in acquiring his services hinges on how he recovers from an ongoing knee problem according to Le10 Sport.
The report claims that Mikel Arteta still holds an interest in the player but any move hinges on the rehabilitation regarding a knee injury he sustained at the back end of last season.
However, former Arsenal fullback Nigel Winterburn urged the Spanish coach to stay clear of Coutinho and focus on playing the young talent they possess instead.
The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.
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“I wouldn’t go down that line, we’ve got a lot of young talent coming through,” he told Goal when asked about a move for Coutinho.
“Unless he would be on the right wages or if there was a way to fit him in then it could be an option.
“It’s been touted around so much I don’t believe it’ll happen.
“Coutinho was very good at Liverpool, but since then I’ve not been impressed and I’m not convinced by it.”
Coutinho moved to the Nou Camp in January 2018 for a whopping £121million but has failed to re-capture the form he had previously shown with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
In 90 games for the Catalan side, he’s scored 23 times and claimed 14 assists, a poor return considering the astronomical fee Barca paid for his services.