Coutinho update: Barca star set to join Arsenal after rejecting Tottenham

We’re now at the business end of the summer transfer window and managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the world. Here, the latest on Philippe Coutinho…

Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho has rejected Tottenham and is expected to seal a season-long loan move to Arsenal, according to reports today.

Coutinho has struggled to settle at Barcelona since making a big-money move to the Nou Camp from Liverpool in January 2018 and the Brazilian attacker was even booed by sections of his own fanbase at times last season following a string of poor performances.

It’s led to intense speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League this summer and talkSPORT claimed on Tuesday that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham had expressed their interest after Barca confirmed he could leave on loan.

It looked like Coutinho was heading for a Arsenal as L’Equipe claimed yesterday that the Gunners had won the race to sign Coutinho after agreeing a season-long loan deal following talks between the two clubs after our match on Sunday night.

In a contrasting report, The Times then claimed Tottenham had launched a rival bid to sign Coutinho on loan as Mauricio Pochettino looks to find a replacement for Christian Eriksen after he expressed his desire to leave this summer.

However, talkSPORT are now reporting today that the South American has turned down the opportunity to move to White Hart Lane on loan.

BREAKING: Philippe Coutinho set to turn down a deal to join Tottenham on-loan.

– talkSPORT sources understand.

Tune in for more big transfer news.

? Listen → https://t.co/nOCybh8ExD pic.twitter.com/vgvhV5yoc9

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 7, 2019

The news comes as Spanish radio station El Larguero, via The Sun, claims Coutinho is on the verge of joining Arsenal with the loan deal believed to be ‘practically closed’.

This is supported by L’Equipe, with the respected French publication once again stating in today’s print edition that Coutinho is heading to Arsenal despite the late interest from Tottenham.

L'Équipe cont: "Even though, last night (i.e. tonight), British & Spanish media claimed that Tottenham had invited themselves into the race."

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 6, 2019

This is a story that is likely to have further twists and turns over the coming hours but it looks like Coutinho could be heading back to the Premier League before the window closes on Thursday evening.

Arsenal appear to be in pole position but the playmaker is currently training with the Barcelona squad in Miami so things will have to move quickly if he’s to secure a move to the Emirates before 5pm tomorrow.

Read–> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

Let’s see how things develop but it would certainly be a major coup if Arsenal were able to land Coutinho, and it may explain why Mesut Ozil is being linked with a move to the MLS.