Philippe Coutinho

[Angelito]

WIth all the insanity that's going on nothing will shock me. Not even Ozil being reintrouded into the team again. But i wouldn't bet on it after his interview.

Ozil is staying for at least a season. Would be dumb to resume all the drama next season. He should be part of the squad.

If we are serious in our pursuit of Partey, a midfield trio of Ozil, Partey, and Ceballos would be really good.

Ceballos is a good ball carrier and plays like a proper B2B player. Partey isn't a DM alone. He's also good with the ball and at distributing from deep. Ozil can take care of business in the final third.

I won't be surprised, however, if Mikel switches to 4-3-3 with a Willian, Xhaka, and Ceballos midfield.

[Salibatelli]

If we get Coutinho we have to play 4-2-3-1 meaning we need a very defensive DM and a CB better than all the ones we already have too!

Obviously the windows not over but right now as its stands and with reports that the Coutinho deal looks like it might not happen ........... we're miles off switching to 4-2-3-1.

And I mean we're short around 3-4 1st team CM players off.

Xhaka, Willian and Willock who I don't even count as 1st team ready as he's not starter material are the only CM's we have at the club who are def going to be here next year.

That's barely enough for a 2 man midfield let alone a 3.

AFC have a lot of work to do.

Losing Ceballos was a real blow, he was our 1st choice CM and we lost him for nothing with no replacement in sight.

I think it's just a waiting game with Ceballos, we know Madrid want to sell him or at least loan him out. He isn't in their plans as of now.

Longer we wait the more chance we have to get him cheaper both in wages and loan fee. Only wildcard is Betis and if they can afford to buy him.

Madrid only want to sell, we only want to loan as we have no money, Zidane was allegedly impressed with him however so is willing to give him a chance.

Madrid won’t sell on the cheap, it’s not something they do, personally I think he won’t be back.

[Ach]

Ffs Koeman wants to keep him apparently

There goes any hipe we have

We'll probably get Thiago, dear god.

[Callum]

Got his Champions League in the end, one way or another.

[Highbury Hillbilly]

No point in doing a loan. If he does well, he goes onto the store display window for Barca next summer.

[Angelito]

Got his Champions League in the end, one way or another.

Life innit.

He left for the UCL. He's won the Treble—even if it's the Covid edition.

[Ach]

Philippe Coutinho would prefer to return to the Premier League than stay with Barcelona - with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea interested in the 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder. (Marca)

Deadline day signing for someone

[ag6789]

Will be a big bidding war now, which we're likely to lose.

[DiamondGooner]

We're doing terrible on the midfielder front, so much so we've had to convert a senior winger in Willian into a no10.

We've lost Partey and I don't think we'll land Coutinho now he helped win the CL either, those performances and goals would of perked up the ears of our rivals.

[ag6789]

So in absence of Coutinho, ESR and Mikhi could flourish?

[Callum]

So in absence of Coutinho, ESR and Mikhi could flourish?

I think Mkhitaryan has already gone.

[Ach]

Gunners move ahead of Chelsea in race to sign former Liverpool star

Arsenal in pole position to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona - according to Don Balon.

Chelsea have dropped out of the race to sign the Brazilian, who spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich.

Arsenal could now swoop for Coutinho unopposed, with new Barca boss Ronaldo Koeman set to cut ties with a number of first-team stars.

Get this done asap

[Highbury Hillbilly]

Heard exactly the opposite. Koeman wants the old guard out, and wants to get the best out of Griezemann, Fati, de Jong, and bring Coutinho back with a clean slate.

If Messi, Vidal and Rakitic are on the way out, they will need a goalscorer and chance creator like him in the team.

And this is a gut feeling, but I think Mikel and Edu are only targeting Aouar and Ceballos for midfield roles at this point.

[Angelito]

Not happening with Messi leaving Barca.

They'd want a front three of Coutinho, Griezmann, and Dembele. AG isn't an out and out striker, but that's how Koeman wants to use him.

[Sims]

If this happens it’ll be well late into the window. Deadline day stuff