Barcelona have reportedly offered their playmaker Philippe Coutinho to Premier League sides Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
The Catalan giants haven’t performed according to their high standards this season amidst a tough financial situation. They are understood to be interested in signing Manchester City forward Ferran Torres to boost their attacking options and want to fund a move for the Spaniard by offloading a few players in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mirror (h/t The Sports Mole), Barcelona are actively pushing outcast Philippe Coutinho out to foreign clubs, having enquired whether Tottenham and Newcastle United are still interested in the player.
The player is reluctant to join a Newcastle side battling against relegation, apparently making Tottenham a potential destination, the report adds.
Coutinho, 29, was a star performer with Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp but he has failed to live up to his mammoth £146million price tag at Barcelona. A combination of injuries and poor form over the last couple of years has held the Brazilian back from reaching the expected levels, with the playmaker starting just five La Liga games this season.
Philippe Coutinho to Tottenham – Does Antonio Conte need him?
Under new Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, there appears to be no way back for Philippe Coutinho and a fresh challenge could help him revive his career. He isn’t short of options but a move to Tottenham doesn’t hit the right chords due to many reasons.
Antonio Conte is slowly but steadily making an impression at Tottenham, having replaced Nuno Espirito Santo in November. Under the Italian manager, the north London club have won three league games and drawn two. Important players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are slowly starting to get back their mojo, with the duo netting in Sunday’s 2-2 home draw with Liverpool.
Dele Alli received his first start in the Conte regime, and while he justified his selection with a solid display against Liverpool, Tottenham are ready to consider loan offers for the English midfielder in January. Even if Alli leaves, Conte must avoid signing Coutinho as his replacement.
Coutinho isn’t the player he once was, having suffered a spate of injuries since arriving at Barcelona in January 2018. The creative midfielder’s form has dipped massively as well, resulting in losing his spot in the Brazilian national team under Tite.
Tottenham cannot afford to take a risk on a player whose stock appears to be faltering at a significant rate. Antonio Conte needs players who are going to take Spurs back to the Champions League and a younger alternative for Dele Alli should be considered. Plus, Coutinho earns around £325,000-a-week at Barcelona and such hefty salary demands could be an issue for the north London outfit.
All in all, Coutinho just doesn’t fit the bill at Spurs and Conte would do a wise job by staying away from the Barcelona misfit.