Philippe Coutinho is currently the top earner at Barcelona and his high wages have become a problem for the La Liga side because the 29-year-old has struggled with poor form and fitness.
The attacking midfielder and his agents have been told to ‘find a solution’ in the winter market.
Various reports in the Catalan press have stressed the former Liverpool star’s desire to return to England, where Arsenal, Newcastle United and a few other clubs are named as his suitors.
Journalist Bruno Alemany has, during Ser Catalunya’s Què T’hi Jugues, now provided the latest update on the player’s options for January.
‼️🔜 EL FUTUR DE COUTINHO
✈️ Vol sortir ja, vol jugar més per tenir opcions de jugar el Mundial de Qatar 🏴 Fonts de l'entorn del futbolista diuen que hi ha dos equips interessats: Arsenal i Newcastle. Si ell pogués escollir, triaria l'Arsenal
▶️ Via @brunoalemany#FCBlive pic.twitter.com/4e6Yzzvyr2
— Què T'hi Jugues (@QueThiJugues) January 4, 2022
Alemany claims the Brazil international ‘wants to go out now’ so that he can have more playing time in the second half of the season. This is vital if Coutinho wants to retain any hope of making it to the World Cup with the national team.
‘Sources close’ to the South American say there are ‘two teams interested’ in him. Those are Mikel Arteta’s side and the Magpies.
If Coutinho were to pick a destination, ‘he would choose Arsenal’.
