Spanish giants Barcelona appear to have diverted their attention from Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho. Barcelona are set to make a move for Tottenham attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen in the January transfer window after seeing their Coutinho hopes fade.
According to Spanish news outlet Don Balon, the 25-year-old is on the top of Barcelona’s wish list this winter, despite them being linked with several names over the past three months. The report says Barca feel Eriksen has not yet reached his full potential and could be an ideal addition to their midfield. They are said to be long-term admirers of the Denmark international and their interest has not gone away.
Liverpool talisman Coutinho has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp and there were failed bids from Barcelona in the summer. There have also been suggestions the Catalan giants could move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Ernesto Valverde’s men have plenty of cash to spend following Neymar’s €222m move to Paris-Saint Germain in the summer and are interested in luring away playmaker Eriksen from Tottenham. They have reportedly been tracking him since his move to Tottenham and have been impressed by how consistently he has performed in the Premier League.
The Dane has been the driving force for Mauricio Pochettino’s side over the last three seasons with Spurs ending as runners-up last season to London rivals Chelsea. Eriksen’s numbers in the Premier League since joining Tottenham in 2013 are better than both Ozil and Coutinho. This makes him an exciting prospect and what adds more value to the player is that he is yet to reach his prime.
However, it will be difficult for Barcelona to prise him away as Spurs remain adamant that they are not going to sell their best players. Moreover, Eriksen signed a new four-year contract with us in 2016, which makes it an even tougher case for the Spanish club to sign him.
Eriksen will definitely not come cheap should Barca decide to make a move in the January transfer window. Nevertheless, Barcelona could take hope after the Dane admitted he would find it hard to turn down the offer if they came knocking next summer.
