Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho the #10 jersey Lionel Messi wore, per Mundo Deportivo, which could signal the end of Arsenal and West Ham’s chances of a transfer.
Messi departed the Camp Nou earlier this month after Barcelona failed to reduce their wage bill enough to register his new contract. The Argentine possessed the #10 jersey for 13-years, after inheriting the number from Ronaldinho back in the summer of 2008.
Now, with the number vacant, Barcelona have offered Coutinho the chance to be the next owner. The Brazilian is seriously considering accepting, having worn the #10 at Liverpool and again while on loan at Bayern Munich.
Coutinho took over the #7 jersey after joining Barcelona from Liverpool for an initial £105m in January 2018. But gave up the digit for Antoine Griezmann upon returning from Bayern, and has since worn #14. He has reservations about now changing to #10 after Messi’s exit.
Coutinho is worried about the added pressure the number brings, knowing he will already be under the spotlight with supporters. Yet the 29-year-old has not ruled out accepting the invite, and would wear #10 against Athletic Bilbao if he does not leave before Saturday.
Arsenal are in talks with Barcelona over potentially signing Coutinho this summer, Sport report. The two clubs are discussing a swap deal involving the playmaker and Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But Mikel Arteta could face a wealth of rival suitors.
Super-agent Kia Joorabchian has recently offered Coutinho to West Ham, Leicester City and Wolves, according to the Mirror. Barcelona also offered him to Lazio and would cover 50% of his eye-watering €20m-a-year (£327k-p/w) salary, per Gazzetta dello Sport.
Barcelona end Arsenal and West Ham’s chances of signing Coutinho?
Arsenal, West Ham and their rival suitors will likely pay attention to what number Coutinho wears if he features for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. If the Brazilian plays with Messi’s vacated #10, it will serve as a big indicator to him staying in Catalunya.
It would at least signify Coutinho’s desire to stay at the Camp Nou and prove himself to Barcelona’s supporters. He produced a disappointing return last season with two goals and two assists before two operations on a knee injury. It kept him to 12 outings, starting eight.
Coutinho was cleared for Barcelona’s final pre-season friendly, but did not feature in their La Liga opener against Real Sociedad. So, his last La Liga appearance for Barcelona could be last December if Arsenal, West Ham or a rival suitor swoops.
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