Report: Mikel Arteta ‘dreams’ of signing Philippe Coutinho but £71m a big stumbling block
Arsenal’s Spanish boss is seemingly a big fan of the Barcelona star.
by Mathew NashMikel Arteta is reportedly ‘dreaming’ about a potential deal to bring Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal.
It is reported by Le10 Sport that the Arsenal boss is a big fan of the Brazilian and is ready to throw Arsenal’s hat in the ring regarding a potential deal to sign the playmaker.
The report suggests that Arsenal have already begun discussions with the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian and that Arteta ‘dreams’ of completing the transfer.
The dream element is likely due to the unlikely nature of a deal.
Arsenal are expected to be on a tight budget this summer and Coutinho will not come cheap, in terms of a potential transfer fee, loan fee or wages.
A recent report from SPORT suggested that Barcelona are looking to sign the former Liverpool star at a price of €90 million (£80m), way outside Arsenal’s transfer budget.
If Arsenal were to sign Coutinho, it would likely need to be on a loan and that would still not come cheap.
TalkSPORT reported last month that Barcelona would demand a £13 million loan fee for the player and would want any interested party to pay the 27-year-old’s £250,000-a-week wages in full.
SPORT reported that Barcelona would also want an obligatory buying option in any deal, which would set back the club involved €65 million (£58m) at the end of the temporary stay.
So, even forgetting wages, the ultimate cost of a deal for Coutinho could still be around £71 million, and that is just for a loan deal.
Undoubtedly, he would make a great addition to Arsenal’s squad. But it is hard to see the Gunners affording any deal.
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