Should Arsenal use Barcelona’s reported interest to nab Philippe Coutinho?

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Arsenal are one of many Premier League clubs that have been linked with a move for Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho over the past couple of months – but the Gunners may now have a trump card up their sleeve.

Coutinho, 28, joined Barcelona in January 2018 but has since managed just 76 appearances for the Spanish champions. He has been shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich, where he has continued to struggle.

Failing to feature since the restart due to an ankle injury, Brazil international Coutinho is unlikely to earn a permanent move to Bayern or return to Barca and be part of the first-team plans. A move is needed.

Even this week, the Mirror have claimed that Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian is trying to get Coutinho through the front door at The Emirates. A move may only be a loan, though, as Arsenal cannot afford to sign him permanently.

But that may now change. Matteo Guendouzi is supposedly on the firing list at Arsenal due to a number of childish incidents – the latest being apparent bragging about his wage to Brighton players, and throttling Neal Maupay.

The Mail claims Arsenal want rid, while Le10Sport say Barcelona are keen on the 21-year-old. With Barcelona interested in signing the £7million recruit (Mirror),  surely Arsenal can use that to their advantage.

Tabling an offer – which would have to be a deal of Guendouzi and cash – to sign Coutinho would surely tempt Barcelona into sanctioning the Brazilian’s exit, even though Barca would be making a huge loss on the playmaker.

Guendouzi’s poor actions may have a silver lining, with Barcelona’s interest a potential trump card in Arsenal’s reported pursuit of the former Inter Milan attacking midfielder.