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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho transfer stance amid Arsenal and Tottenham interest

Barcelona have conceded Philippe Coutinho is likely to stay with the club this summer.

Coutinho's future has been unclear for months with a return to the Premier League mooted.

Manchester United and former club Liverpool were linked while Coutinho was reportedly offered to PSG as part of a deal to take Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

Fresh interest has emerged from the Premier League in the final weeks of the window with Arsenal and Tottenham both tipped top be potential destinations.

But the Gunners' interest was not serious while Tottenham are set to move for Giovani Lo Celso and Paulo Dybala instead.

Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona (Getty Images)

It means that, unless there is a dramatic change of heart on deadline day, Coutinho will not be returning to the Premier League.

The transfer window remains open in Europe for another few weeks meaning PSG could reignite their interest.

But MARCA reports a move back to England was Barcelona's best chance of offloading Coutinho this summer.

The Brazilian is still likely to be part of Ernesto Valverde's plans if he does stay put with the Barcelona boss ready to count on the £140m addition.

Brazil's Philippe Coutinho (AFP/Getty Images)

Speaking after Barcelona's pre-season victory over Napoli on Wednesday, Valverde confirmed Coutinho was part of his plans if he stayed.

"Of course I am counting on him. We don't know what's going to happen, but he's with us," he said.

"We will see if on Saturday he can play some minutes.

"The idea is the same with him as everyone else. We count on him, of course."

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