Arsenal transfer blow as Coutinho set to stay at Barcelona with Koeman planning on getting most out of flop in new role
PHILIPPE COUTINHO looks set to stay at Barcelona in a new role under manager Ronald Koeman – ending Arsenal’s hopes of signing him.
New boss Koeman has told the club that he wants to keep the Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after falling out of favour under Quique Setien.
Coutinho, 28, scored twice as the eventual winners demolished the Barca 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals.
And that appears to have been enough to convince Koeman that the ex-Liverpool star, signed for £135million in 2018, has a future at the club.
According to Marca, that could even be as a central midfielder, not his customary attacking role.
The Bayern drubbing, and a LaLiga collapse to Real Madrid, have prompted Barca to undergo a major rebuilding job this summer.
Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal are certain to exit, while Lionel Messi is being forced to star against his will.
Arsenal were hoping Coutinho would also be in the chopping block and were bookies’ favourites to seal a loan deal.
In fact, reports even suggested they had agreed personal terms with the player.
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But now it appears the Catalan giants will only consider selling Coutinho if they receive a substantial offer for him, which the Gunners cannot afford.
They had the chance to make his loan deal permanent, but opted against the move.
Speaking on his return to the club, Coutinho said: “Now I have to go back to Barcelona, I want to work hard to have a great year.”