Arsenal are preparing to begin talks with Philippe Coutinho’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, over a deal to sign the midfielder from Barcelona, according to reports.
The Brazil international has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich but the German champions are unwilling to make the deal permanent for €120 million (£105m). Barcelona are looking to offload several players this summer in order to fund new signings and Coutinho is among those made available.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Coutinho but according to Le10 Sport, Arsenal are now positioning themselves to sign the 27-year-old. The report claims that Mikel Arteta is behind the move as he ‘dreams’ of bringing Coutinho to Arsenal and would make the midfielder a focal point in the team.
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It’s claimed that Arsenal have made arrangements to begin negotiations with Joorabchian, although a move for the Brazilian is expected to be costly. Arteta, meanwhile, has already warned that Arsenal will be forced to adapt their transfer plans if they miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League.
Speaking last week, Joorabchian claimed no clubs have made an approach for the Brazilian so far. ‘At the moment, we have not spoken to anybody about any deals whatsoever,’ Joorabchian told talkSPORT.
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