Arsenal eye hijacking Barcelona’s Coutinho as Arteta plots Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swap deal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has planned to see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off this January transfer and has decided to make a swap deal with Barcelona’s midfieder, Philippe Coutinho. The January transfer window is now just a matter of days away.

As Arsenal have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four for the first time since the 2015/16 season, Edu may have to dip into the transfer market to help strengthen Mikel Arteta’s chances of securing Champions League football in north London.

One name who is seemingly on the club’s wish list is Barcelona midfielder,

The Brazilian international has often been linked with a move to north London, but for one reason or another, a deal has never materialised.

Although they signed him for an astounding £142million in January 2018, it’s long been understood that the Catalan giants are desperate to part ways with Coutinho – with the attacker already having spent a year on loan at Bayern Munich – and there’s been plenty to suggest in recent weeks that a deal isn’t out of the Gunners’ reach.

According to Sport, Coutinho is one of the players Barcelona are trying to rid themselves of this January.

The 29-year-old must leave to help Barcelona balance the books after agreeing to sign Ferran Torres from Manchester City.

Negotiations are in their initial phase and the La Liga side would prefer a permanent transfer, but it may end up being a loan.