Report: Tottenham offered £163k-a-week star Paratici wanted this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are amongst the Premier League clubs to have been offered the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona look to raise the funds for a £42 million move for Ferran Torres, according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (19/12; page 66).

Barca have made Torres their top target for the January transfer window. It is claimed that their current offer stands at £37 million. However, Manchester City want that figure to be increased by £5 million.

And that has prompted the Catalan giants to offer a number of their fringe players to other clubs. And amongst those to have been put on the table is Coutinho.

The Sunday Mirror (19/12; page 66) reports that both Spurs and the Magpies have been offered the chance to sign the Brazilian. It is noted that he is reluctant to join Eddie Howe’s side as they battle relegation.

Tottenham to sign Philippe Coutinho at the second attempt this season?

Coutinho is a player who very much divides opinion. Of course, while with Liverpool, he established himself as one of the world’s best. But his time at the Nou Camp has been a major disappointment.

He also turns 30 next year. And having struggled with injury at times, there is no question that any side that takes him would be taking a huge gamble.

He reportedly earns £163,000-a-week in Catalonia. So he will not come cheap.

Having said all that, he is a player Tottenham have reportedly shown an interest in in the last few months. In fact, it was suggested that he was one player they planned to bid for should Harry Kane leave.

That move was always difficult to see given the differences between the two players. But if Antonio Conte has any interest in signing Coutinho, perhaps there is a chance that he and Kane could end up actually playing together from next month.