Philippe Coutinho's transfer saga has taken yet another twist after the out-of-favour Barcelona playmaker reportedly turned down the chance to join Tottenham on loan.
Spurs made an ambitious approach to bring the Brazilian back to the Premier League after Barca decided that the player's long-term future would be best served away from the Nou Camp.
Mauricio Pochettino is keen to add the Brazil star to his new-look midfield after the former Liverpool star’s representatives began contacting Premier League clubs to see if they were interested.
With interest across Europe in the player - and his £200,000-a-week wages - Spurs know they are underdogs in the race to sign him but are hopeful of pulling off a coup.
However TalkSport has claimed on Wednesday that the Brazilian has rejected the opportunity to reunite with Pochettino, who he worked briefly with when the pair were at Espanyol together.
The latest development leaves Coutinho facing an uncertain future, after the club spent most of the summer insisting they wanted to keep him.
Barca would prefer to sell Coutinho but are ready to allow him to leave the Nou Camp on a temporary basis. The La Liga title holders are likely to want around £21million for the loan arrangement.
Coutinho has endured a difficult 18 months in Spain after forcing a move from Liverpool for a staggering £142million.
Jurgen Klopp is understood not to want him back while neither Manchester United nor City are said to be interested.
Arsenal have made clear they are not targeting Coutinho after being strongly linked with him in France and Spain.
The Gunners are understood to be targeting a central defender ahead of Thursday's deadline while Chelsea currently have a transfer ban.
It is not yet clear whether Coutinho’s signing would affect their bid to sign either Sporting midfielder Bruno Fernandes or Real Betis goal machine Gio Lo Celso.
Sporting want around £55million for Fernandes while Betis are refusing to accept less than £70million for Lo Celso. Spurs want only one of the pair.
