Tottenham Hotspur are the front runners to sign Philippe Coutinho from FC Barcelona
According to Mundo Deportivo via Sports Witness (h/t Mirror), Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho who is ‘seduced’ by Spurs’ offer.
The Brazilian had endured a difficult spell since swapping Liverpool for Barcelona in 2018. The Selecao star couldn’t find his rhythm after his move to the Nou Camp, and his stock has fallen drastically over the years. The 29-year-old has only featured in 16 matches across all competitions and the arrival of new manager Xavi has done little to change things.
Coutinho is currently the highest earner at FC Barcelona after the departure of Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the summer. The Catalan team is presently in a bad financial state and are looking to offload the former Liverpool star to generate funds for new signings.
Coutinho has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League recently. The 29-year-old has also rejected an offer from Newcastle United. On the other hand, Arsenal and Everton are keeping the tab on the players’ situation. But now, it is believed that a move to Tottenham Hotspur is seducing the former Liverpool man.
Amid the absence of Giovani Lo Celso, Antonio Conte has been pushed to use rookie Oliver Skipp in the central midfield areas. Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg has stepped up this season, but his lack of creativity in the attacking areas is a problem for Spurs forwards.
On the other hand, Dele Alli has been strongly linked with an away move. The 25-year-old midfielder hasn’t provided any convincing performances lately and has fallen from the pecking order. It seems the England international wouldn’t be much of a use to Conte in this term.
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Coutinho was a sensational performer in the Premier League during his Liverpool years. His current drop in form could be due to his failure to adapt to the Spanish League. The Brazilian could rejuvenate his form after a return to England, and his outstanding qualities could help Antonio Conte achieve bigger goals.