Philippe Coutinho's agent on Arsenal transfer rumours as Gunners 'open talks'

Arsenal are reportedly in talks with Philippe Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Barcelona midfielder is out of favour at the Nou Camp and will be in need of a new club when he returns from his loan spell with Bayern Munich.

Coutinho has been linked with a handful of Premier League clubs already in the past few months, with Chelsea,Everton,Tottenham and Newcastle all keeping tabs on the Brazilian.

And now Arsenal have reportedly moved themselves to the front of the queue, with Arteta keen to strengthen his side ahead of next season.

Coutinho's agent Joorabchian is a long-time Arsenal fan, and good friends with Gunners' technical director Edu.

This appears to put Arsenal in a good position if they are genuinely interested in signing Coutinho.

But it seems Joorabchian would only sanction the transfer if he's convinced Coutinho is 100 per cent happy with the deal - regardless of his affiliation with the club.

He previously told Sky Sports: "The fact I'm an Arsenal supporter is not a secret.

"I don't have any preference where the players go. I don't try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility.

"The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic."

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