Arsenal are still chasing a creative midfielder with just over half a month remaining of the transfer window and Philippe Coutinho has reportedly emerged as an option.
According to a report from 90Min on Tuesday afternoon, the Brazil international 'remains of significant interest' to the Gunners - more than three years after leaving the Premier League for Barcelona.
Coutinho showcased his undoubted talent during his time in England, becoming one of Liverpool's star players and earning an estimated £142million move to the Nou Camp, but has failed to live up to expectations in Catalonia.
The 29-year-old, who has under two years remaining on his deal with Barca, is well-known for his dribbling skills and his ability to shoot from long-range.
Coutinho, though, has been in and out of the side since arriving at Barca in January 2018 and has even been loaned out to Bayern Munich, where he impressed.
The Munich-based club were said to be keen on signing the former Liverpool star on a permanent basis, but his wages and asking price were supposedly a sticking point for the German outfit.
That seems to be the case this summer with Coutinho, with many clubs being credited with an interest in the Brazilian playmaker, but the financial demands - especially in this window due to the pandemic - have caused a problem.
But if Arsenal could make a move for Coutinho, they would be getting a very talented player. So much so, his former boss Jurgen Klopp once compared him to Italy legend Alessandro del Piero.
Speaking in the past, the Liverpool manager spoke about Coutinho's ability to come in on the left-hand side and strike the ball into the far corner - something we saw on a regular basis during his almost five-year spell at Anfield.
"Coutinho has an unbelievable eye for goal from range," Klopp said in an interview with German outlet Kicker a few years ago.
"I haven't seen seen a player coming in off the left and striking the ball with such regularity and precision from those kind of positions since Del Piero."
Klopp also spoke about the Brazil midfielder, who is rated at £35m by Barcelona, and said that he prefers playing in the number 10 role.
“Coutinho didn’t get to play in his preferred No.10 role all that much when he was with us, but he’s a great No.8 and is a fantastic left winger because he’s incredibly good in tight spaces and has the pace to exploit bigger spaces,” the German coach explained.
“He dominates football matches, and is a real asset if he can put his stamp on the team.
“Bayern needed him, and Bayern wanted him. If they can integrate him and get the very best out of him, the Bundesliga will have a top player on its hands.”
