Philippe Coutinho has often been linked with a return to the Premier League after struggling to live up to his enormous price tag at Barcelona – and Tottenham are in pole position for the transfer
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Tottenham are weighing up a sensational bid for Philippe Coutinho after they were offered the Barcelona outcast by agent Kia Joorabchian, according to reports in Spain.
Coutinho, 29, has often been linked with a return to the Premier League after struggling to live up to his enormous price tag at Camp Nou.
Barca paid £142million to sign the Brazilian playmaker from Liverpool in January 2018 but injuries and a lack of form have plagued his time in Catalonia.
Ronald Koeman’s side are in the midst of a financial crisis – their debts total over £1billion – so the club would be willing to sanction an exit for Coutinho.
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That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, which claims Joorabchian has made contact with Tottenham chiefs over a transfer for his client.
The report adds Spurs are targeting a marquee signing who could ease the blow of Harry Kane potentially departing.
That being said, their swoop for Coutinho is not dependant on whether the England captain stays or leaves amid heavy interest from Manchester City.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to entertain a loan deal for Coutinho as well as bids to sign him permanently.
This may pave the way for Spurs to sign Coutinho on a season-long loan with the option or obligation to sign him permanently next summer.
Coutinho, for his part, is desparate to rekindle his best form after managing just three goals and 14 appearances during an injury-struck 2020/21 season.
The versatile midfielder shone during five seasons at Anfield, scoring 54 goals in 201 appearances, and a return to the Premier League may provide him with the chance to bounce back from a difficult spell with Barcelona.
It remains to be seen whether Spurs can pull off the signing – and whether Coutinho would line up in north London with or without Kane.
The 28-year-old is yet to report for training at Hotspur Way after his Caribbean holiday and he made it clear to Daniel Levy he would like to leave this summer.
But Spurs are under no pressure to sell Kane or lower their lofty asking price, as he has three years remaining on his contract.
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City made a £100million approach for the prolific frontman earlier this summer which was rejected as Spurs hold out for a fee in the region of £150million.
But the chance for Pep Guardiola’s side to sign Kane may have passed, as they are on the verge of completing a British-record £100million swoop for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
City will need to offload first-team players if they are to fund another big-money bid for Grealish’s England teammate.
