Arsenal have been warned not to pursue a move for Philippe Coutinho by former Gunner Nigel Winterburn.
The Brazilian could be on his way out of Barcelona this summer following several difficult years.
Coutinho has proved he can be a success in the Premier League following his spell with Liverpool, but that form has eluded him in Spain.
Barcelona spent £142m to sign the playmaker in 2018 but could now be ready to cut their losses.
Arsenal are among those linked but Winterburn feels as if Coutinho’s presence would hamper the development of their young talent.
He told Goal : “I wouldn’t go down that line, we’ve got a lot of young talent coming through.
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“Unless he would be on the right wages or if there was a way to fit him in then it could be an option.
“It’s been touted around so much I don’t believe it’ll happen.
“Coutinho was very good at Liverpool, but since then I’ve not been impressed and I’m not convinced by it.”
Arsenal could see plenty of ins and outs at the Emirates this summer as Mikel Arteta shakes things up.
The north London outfit lacked consistency this term and failed to qualify for Europe.
The emergence of several young players was a positive throughout the season as the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were allowed to blossom.
Joe Willock was another who showed his class, albeit away at Newcastle having joined the Magpies on loan.
The midfielder scored in each of his last six games but his future at Arsenal remains in doubt.
Winterburn is unsure as to whether the 21-year-old can become a fixture for the Gunners, but hopes he’s given a chance to do so.
He added: “Willock went on loan to get a lot more game time in the Premier League and he’s done that.
“It’s difficult to assess them sometimes and that final step into the first team, we’ve seen it with [Bukayo] Saka who’s been a revelation.
“But, one or two of the younger players who have been given a taste haven’t managed to make the step like Saka.
“Willock has been very strong in the cup competitions, but in the Premier League he hasn’t hit those heights for Arsenal.
“On the flip side, it might be down to the amount of game time he’s getting at that level, but he’s shown what he can do at Newcastle.
“He’s a player I really like, so I hope he is given a chance to come in and fill that role.”
