Barcelona appeared ready to sign off Philippe Coutinho to another loan deal in the summer, and the Brazilian's next stop is said to be Arsenal. It will be a swap arrangement between the two clubs, and Camp Nou will be getting Matteo Guendouzi in exchange.
Reports coming from Spain indicated that Kia Joorabchian, Coutinho's agent, is now in discussions with Arsenal on the terms of the deal. It is understood that the Brazil international will return to England on loan next season as the Gunners are unwilling to sign on a permanent sale due to financial constraints.
The winger linking up with the Gunners on loan is the best possible way for Arsenal to take him in considering the high transfer fee demanded by Barcelona, according to Football London.
And sending Guendouzi to La Liga works both ways for the transfer partners. On Arsenal's part, including the 21-year-old midfielder on the deal package, will make the payment terms more affordable and ensure that the agreement will be finalized.
In addition, Guendouzi is deemed on his way out of the Emirates following his recent falling out with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta.
Barcelona, on the other hand, will be able to offload the struggling Coutinho, who was sent on loan to Bayern Munich at the start of the season. Also, the Catalan side will get hold of a young midfielder in Guendouzi that, according to reports, has been in the hiring list of the club and viewed as a long-term option.
Per the same report, if Joorabchian can seal the deal, Coutinho is likely to take the same number that he wore while still with Liverpool. The Brazilian had a brilliant spell of six years with the Reds wearing shirt No. 10.
Or Coutinho can again don the same jersey if his touted return to the Premier League would lead to a reunion with the side of Jurgen Klopp. According to Team Talk, a window remains open on the possibility that the 28-year-old could make amends with Klopp and return to Anfield.
The Brazilian had a contentious exit from the Merseyside in January 2018, but former Aston Villa man Gabriel Agbonlahor said Coutinho should say sorry and ask for a second chance. Agbonlahor said the former Reds star could be the missing piece for Liverpool to continue winning titles.
"He is what Liverpool are missing in there. You can even play Coutinho where [Roberto] Firmino plays if Firmino isn't doing it," Agbonlahor was reported as saying.
Klopp, however, has stated recently that hiring Coutinho back is not a priority for him, explaining that inserting the midfielder to the roster could lead to instability.
