According to AS, Barcelona expect Philippe Coutinho to leave the club this summer, after he was linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Spanish news outlet claim that Barcelona’s new president, Joan Laporta, has spoken to David Alaba about potentially joining them.
AS mention that the Austrian carries high wage demands, but Laporta expects to have Coutinho’s salary removed in the summer, so a deal could be possible.
This news comes after the Daily Mail said that Arsenal were lining up a January swoop for the 62-cap Brazil international.
Nothing has been said about whether the Gunners are keeping an eye on the ex-Liverpool maestro ahead of the summer.
However, perhaps Mikel Arteta will have been interested by the report from AS, which effectively says a transfer target of his is available to buy.
If Arsenal do sign Coutinho, at least he wouldn’t need any time to familiarise himself with England’s top-flight.
The 28-year-old scored 41 Premier League goals in 152 games for Liverpool, while also assisting 35 more for the Reds before joining Barcelona.
Arteta found a similar player to Coutinho in Martin Ødegaard. However, if Real Madrid don’t allow him to leave permanently, perhaps Coutinho could be a plan B, in our view.
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