Arsenal have turned their attention away from Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho after agreeing a deal with Real Madrid for Martin Odegaard.
With Barca in a financial crisis and trying to offload some of their highest-paid assets as soon as possible, rumours that Coutinho could be Emirates-bond swirled earlier in the window.
However, with Odegaard on his way to north London instead, it seems Coutinho will have to go elsewhere if he wants to leave the Nou Camp.
The Norweigan attacking midfielder is set to join the Gunners for a reported €40million (£34m), taking their total spending for this summer over the £100m mark after signing Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White.
The deal for Odegaard means that Mikel Arteta’s pursuit of former Liverpool star Coutinho is over, much to the disappointment of the Barca board.
The Catalan giants are in a financial crisis, they have already been forced to let one of the all-time greats, Lionel Messi, leave, and they are still trying to offload some of their other highest-paid assets as well.
Coutinho is one of the most expensive players on their books, and Barca aren’t certain whether they want him to leave or try to fill the void that Messi has left. Though it seems likely that if the right offer arrived at their doorstep, they’d sent the Brazilian packing.
So, where could the 29-year-old end up before the 30 th of August?
Liverpool
Who do you think should sign Coutinho? Comment below
Coutinho returning to Anfield could go one of two ways: he could tarnish his reputation or enhance it. The midfielder left Liverpool in 2018 for £142m, but his price has plummeted since then and could return for a cut-price fee.
The Brazilian scored 41 in 162 top-flight appearances for the Merseyside club, and his creativity and flair made him one of the best players in the league at times.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are both going to be unavailable for an extended period of this season due to the Africa Cup of Nations, stronger depth in the forward areas certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
The Reds can afford Barca’s £32m asking price for Coutinho, but whether they are interested in bringing him back remains to be seen.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Since appointing Bruno Lage, the Portuguese boss hasn’t made any marquee signings to give fans something to be excited about.
However, last month the midlands club were linked with a move for Coutinho.
According to the Daily Star, winger Adama Traore wants to leave Wolves and Liverpool are set to swoop in for the Spaniard, if that occurs then it is only logical for Lage to want to bring in another wide player.
Coutinho would provide the Wolves squad with experience and natural ability, and potentially being the big fish in a small pond could see him excel.
Wolves lack another goalscorer from deep, they have the likes of Pedro Neto and Raul Jimenez but they need someone else that they can rely on to pop up with a goal or two to win a game.
Leicester City
According to the Sun, Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian has been speaking to several Premier League clubs about getting his agent back into the English top-flight on a loan deal; one of which being Leicester City.
The Foxes are keen to build on their recent successful seasons and take the jump into the Champions League places, so to have someone in their ranks that has won the trophy (19/20) and played in the final is priceless.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have been very unlucky with injuries lately and it has highlighted their lack of depth in the wide areas, so someone with the versatility of Coutinho, who can play anywhere along the frontline, is logical.
According to bookmakers, Leicester are a one of the favourites to secure the former Inter Milan playmaker’s signature before January.
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