The La Liga giants are attempting to offload the Brazilian star to raise revenue for a summer splurge – with Inter striker Lautaro Martinez still top of the shopping list
Barcelona remain intent on offloading Philippe Coutinho this summer and have reportedly offered the Brazilian to Arsenal and Newcastle.
Coutinho is not in Barca boss Quique Setien’s plans and the Catalan club are set on raising funds for £98million-rated Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.
The La Liga giants are cash-strapped amid the coronavirus outbreak and would likely be unable to pay such a fee for Argentina international Martinez without first selling players.
Coutinho spent this season on loan with Bayern Munich and showed glimpses of the form which prompted Barcelona to pay £142million to prise him from Liverpool in 2018.
But his performances in the Bundesliga were not enough to change the minds of the Barcelona hierarchy, who have offered his services to the Gunners and Newcastle, according to Goal .
This is not the first time Coutinho has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, as super-agent Kia Joorabchian offered his client to Arsenal earlier this year.
Mirror Sport understands the north London club has little interest in securing the 28-year-old’s services on a permanent basis.
However, a loan is a possibility and Arsenal and the Magpies are weighing up the move.
Such a deal would rely on Barcelona subsidising Coutinho’s wages – which are thought to be at least £200,000 per week – and the Catalans are reportedly willing to do so.
Bayern Munich had the option to buy Coutinho as the Brazilian midfielder’s eight goals and six assists helped them clinch the Bundesliga title.
But the Bavarian giants opted not to pay the £70million fee and Coutinho has since been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and a host of Premier League sides, with Tottenham and Chelsea also monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, whether Newcastle are able to continue their pursuit of Coutinho will likely rest on if their prospective takeover by a Saudi-backed conglomerate passes the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test.
