Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping tabs on Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Philippe Coutinho’s stock has plummeted over the last couple of years, with the 29-year-old attacker enduring a difficult campaign with Barcelona. A long-term knee injury ended his season prematurely, which also kept him away from participating with Brazil in the Copa America 2021. He is currently facing a race against time to be fit for the new LaLiga season.
Despite that, Spanish news publication Mundo Deportivo claims Tottenham will step up their interest in Philippe Coutinho if Harry Kane ends up joining Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Harry Kane, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City all summer. The England skipper has been forcing a move to the Etihad Stadium for a couple of days, failing to show up for training and pushing internally for Spurs to sanction his sale.
Spurs are in no hurry to sell Kane, who still has three years left on the six-year contract he signed back in 2018. However, the north London club are preparing themselves for their talismanic striker’s departure, which could see City pay a lot of money.
With that money, Daniel Levy and new manager Nuno Espirito Santo could reinforce several areas of the Spurs squad. Kia Joorabchian, Coutinho’s agent, has already made initial contacts with Tottenham in an attempt to engineer a summer move for his player, who is deemed surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
Philippe Coutinho to Tottenham—Can he help the north London club finish in the top four?
Philippe Coutinho hasn’t lived up to the lofty expectations of Barcelona fans or the club’s board as he has scored just 19 goals and assisted 11 times in 80 LaLiga appearances for the club. But if Spurs can find the finances to sign the 29-year-old permanently or on loan, he could be a decent addition to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.
A creative no.10 who is equally adept playing on the left wing or as a free 8 in a midfield three, Coutinho is capable of driving with the ball at defences, linking up with attackers and creating openings using his crisp passing and smart movement. The Brazilian international has great technical skills and can dribble past defenders while possessing the ability to come up with long-range pile-drivers.
A set-piece specialist, the ex-Liverpool ace is also capable of chipping in with goals from midfield, which would ease some of the burden off of Tanguy Ndombele and Dele Alli at Spurs. Coutinho would bring his set of qualities as well as solid experience to a Spurs side currently in the rebuilding phase under Nuno.
However, given the fact that the 29-year-old Brazilian hasn’t played football since sustaining a knee injury in December 2020, it is unlikely to see him make an immediate impact and help Spurs finish in the top four should a move materialise this summer.
This is a deal which has the potential to reap benefits but they are unlikely to be immediate in nature. Philippe Coutinho has Premier League experience but is low on confidence and belief. It will need time and the complete backing of the team management for the player to regain his lost touch.