Journalist Pete O’Rourke has been speaking on the latest edition of The Football Terrace’s The Done Deal Show about Arsenal potentially reviving their interest in Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last year, and O’Rourke thinks that the Gunners might come back in for the former Liverpool man.
Coutinho left Liverpool in January 2018 for a huge fee of up to £142m, but his move to Barcelona has not worked out, and in the 2020/21 campaign, he only made 14 appearances.
The Gunners don’t look like they will be getting Martin Odegaard back after his loan in the second half of the season, and O’Rourke can see the Brazilian attacker joining Arsenal.
He said: “I think one name that will probably crop up again between now and the close of the transfer window is Philippe Coutinho. He’s obviously surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou. He’s not really in the plans of the club or Ronald Koeman.
“On his day, he’s a quality player as he showed when he was at Liverpool. I think he was one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Anfield as well. His agent has got very close links with the Arsenal hierarchy. I think this deal could suit everybody.”
Do you think that Coutinho would be a good signing?
No, we don't need him
Yes, he could be what we need
TIF Thoughts on Coutinho to Arsenal…
The former Liverpool man is now 29, but when he was in the Premier League, he scored 41 goals and provided 37 assists for the Reds.
So, he proved when he was in England that he could play at the highest level; however, the Gunners could perhaps sign someone younger like James Maddison, who they have been linked with.
Coutinho was an excellent player for the Reds, but perhaps he is not the man Mikel Arteta sees as someone to help his side push up the table given the current rumours, but it is an intriguing claim nonetheless.
In other news: ‘From the people you speak to at Arsenal’ – Charles Watts reveals potential big blow for Arteta