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What Barcelona are planning to do with Philippe Coutinho amid Arsenal and Tottenham talk
BARCELONA’s immediate plans for Philippe Coutinho have been revealed.
Philippe Coutinho wants to leave Barcelona says Gerard Pique
The Brazil international’s future looks set to lie away from the Nou Camp following the signing of Antoine Griezmann.
Several teams are keen on acquiring the former Liverpool man’s services, including Arsenal and Tottenham.
The north London duo are eager to sign the 27-year-old on loan for the duration of the 2019-20 season.
Philippe Coutinho, though, is said to have rejected a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Barcelona have yet to address Coutinho’s future in the Catalan capital, further fuelling speculation they plan to offload the midfielder.
And according to Spanish football expert Samuel Marsden, the La Liga champions are hard at work try to secure him a loan move to the Premier League.
However, despite him being surplus to requirements, Marsden claims Coutinho could feature in Barca’s pre-season friendly against Napoli in Miami tonight.
He tweeted: “Barça still working on Premier League option but acknowledge it's going to be difficult to get anything done before tomorrow's deadline.
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Philippe Coutinho is on Arsenal and Tottenham's radars
“Coutinho still with the team in Miami & could potentially feature tonight vs. Napoli, although is still short on training.”
Coutinho’s potential return to the Premier League comes three months after he declared he has no intention of coming back to England
“My head is exclusively in Barcelona,” the former Reds star said.
“Returning to England now does not fit into my plans. This is my second season here.
“I have won titles but I am always an ambitious and demanding player. So, I want more and more. But I'm happy.
“I wanted to play in Spain and I'm at the best club in Spain."
That sentiment has also been echoed by his agent Kia Joorachian, who told RMC Sport: "I talked a few days ago with Pep Segura (Barca’s general manager) at Barcelona.
"He told me that the club does not want to sell Coutinho this summer, no matter what."