Arsenal transfer news: Gunners to battle rivals Tottenham over Philippe Coutinho transfer

Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been linked with a return to Premier League as rth London giants, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur remain keen on signing Brazilian. Coutinho spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and helped German outfit to treble of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal Cup and Champions League before returning to Camp u. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have categorically ruled out possibility of signing Coutinho if he leaves Barcelona this summer, but Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly keen on a Philippe Coutinho transfer. 

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Arsenal transfer news: Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal on cards? 

Although multiple reports have claimed that Philippe Coutinho will stay put at Barcelona, British journalist Kevin Palmer has linked Coutinho to Arsenal. Earlier this week, Coutinho's nt, Kia Joorabchian, revealed that his client was set to stay at Barcelona and play under Ronald Koeman for upcoming season. However, Palmer feels that Coutinho will return to Premier League soon, with Arsenal and Tottenham interested in signing 28-year-old. 

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While speaking to Empire of Kop, Palmer admitted that although Coutinho might prefer a return to English top division, midfielder's former club, Liverpool, have ruled out signing Coutinho before transfer window shuts. "He wanted a return to Anfield, but Liverpool don't want him", he said. Palmer added that Arsenal and Tottenham are w closely monitoring Coutinho and could make a bid for Barcelona man before transfer window shuts.

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Football transfer news: Coutinho to Arsenal or Tottenham? rth London rivals set for tussle

Reports claim that Arsenal have identified Philippe Coutinho as an ideal replacement for out-of-favour Mesut Ozil. Mikel Arteta's side are eyeing a top 4 finish this season and Coutinho's arrival at Emirates could bolster Gunners' chances of playing Champions League football next season. However, it remains to be seen how Arsenal would fund a move for Coutinho after club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed a new £250,000-a-week deal. Arsenal signed Willian on a £220,000-per-week deal this summer and are still paying Mesut Ozil £350,000-a-week and signing Coutinho would only bloat ir massive w bill.

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On or hand, Jose Mourinho's Tottenham are also interested in signing Coutinho this summer. Spurs began ir Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Carlo Ancelotti's Everton and clearly lacked creativity in final third. However, Spurs are reportedly looking to bring Coutinho on a loan deal as y cant afford to pay Barcelona's asking price for Brazilian. Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for a club-record fee of £142 million and LaLiga giants will be hoping to recoup a large chunk of  cash y spent on signing attacker.

Im Credits - Phil Coutinho, Mikel Arteta Instagram