NORTH LONDON rivals Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer chase for Philippe Coutinho.
Barcelona are looking to sell the Brazilian – who they bought for £142million from Liverpool in 2018 – to raise funds for re-signing PSG superstar Neymar.
Arsenal and Tottenham have reportedly joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer chase for Philippe CoutinhoCredit: AFP or licensors
The playmaker is on loan at Bayern Munich, though the German champions are said to be uninterested in making the move permanent at the end of the season.
According to The Mirror, Arsenal and Spurs are monitoring Coutinho’s situation in Munich but face competition from Chelsea and United.
Bayern paid Barca £7m to loan the ex-Anfield hero for the season and despite nine goals and eight assists in 32 appearances, the Bundesliga champions are not willing to meet the £100m asking price to sign him.
Reports in Spain are claiming Chelsea now lead the race to secure Coutinho’s signature next season, having held initial talks with Barca.
It is thought United have also spoken with the LaLiga champions over a potential deal.
But Blues boss Lampard is said have also been contact with Coutinho personally in a bid to convince him to steer towards a Stamford Bridge switch.
Chelsea are in the market for new attacking midfielders this summer despite already landing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.
Arsenal and Spurs both registered interest in Coutinho in the summer, before he moved to Bayern.
But in a blow to Tottenham, the Brazilian previously rejected a loan to the North London side last summer.
The Gunners also decided against moving for Coutinho, instead signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille in a club record £72m move.
Man United pair Lingard and Pereira’s futures hang in the balance with Solskjaer drawing up plans for next season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
