Ex-Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho has turned out to be a failed project at Barcelona and as per the BBC, the 29-year-old could be on his way back to the Premier League.
A couple of days ago we had heard that Coutinho has handed a request to move out of FC Barcelona during the ongoing transfer window and now as many as five English clubs want to bring him on board.
After the arrival of Ferran Torres, Barca are desperate to get rid of Philippe Coutinho so that they can deflate their wage bill and register their newest signing. And with so many clubs interested in the ex-Liverpool man, the La Liga side will find it very easy to get rid of him.
The Camp Nou side are really pushing for a deal to go through and as per Sky Sports, the transfer could be completed as early as this weekend.
Philippe Coutinho is set to agree a move to a Premier League club this weekend, with five English clubs in a race to sign the Barcelona midfielder.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 5, 2022
Which clubs are interested in signing Philippe Coutinho?
In the past few days, clubs like Arsenal, Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham have all been linked with Coutinho and recent reports are claiming that Aston Villa have also registered an interest in the playmaker.
As per ESPN, a source close to the player has said that a January move is very much likely and Coutinho’s representatives are talking with all the interested clubs.
“No [club] is being ruled out at this stage. It’s all to do with the football project more than anything else,” the source added.
Ideally, joining Arsenal should be his priority but at the Emirates stadium, Phillippe Coutinho will have to fight for his place in the first XI. But at clubs like Everton, Spurs and Newcastle United, the Brazilian is more or less a guaranteed starter.
Aston Villa are looking at a loan deal and at Villa Park, Phillipe Coutinho will have the chance to reunite with Steven Gerrard – something which might give him a confidence booster.
Can Philippe Coutinho redeem himself in the Premier League?
Barcelona paid €160 million for Coutinho in 2018 but they are ready to let him off for pennies, just so that they can get him off their wage bill.
And this decision will give teams like Spurs, Everton and Villa a fair chance at convincing Coutinho to join them.
We have a feeling that like Aston Villa most of the other clubs are also looking for a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.
Coutinho has scored only two goals in 12 league matches for Barcelona this season so his confidence is at an all-time low and a return to the PL might be the best antidote for the 29-year-old. At this point, taking him in will be nothing less than a gamble but if the Brazilian can regather even 50% of his form from his Anfield days then this risk will be worth it.
He needs to join a side where he won’t have all the burden on his shoulders and can also get uninterrupted game time. Teams like Newcastle United, Villa and Everton can surely provide such opportunities but at sides like Spurs and Arsenal, Philippe Coutinho will have to prove his worth all over again.
