Tottenham Hotspur are considering a move for Philippe Coutinho, according to emerging reports…
What’s the word?
Mundo Deportivo claim that the former Liverpool attacking midfielder is on Spurs’ shortlist, should they sell Harry Kane to Manchester City before this month’s transfer deadline.
It’s thought that the Brazilian playmaker has even been offered to the North London outfit by his agent, Kia Joorabchian.
Coutinho remains under contract at the Nou Camp until 2023 but could be allowed to leave on loan with an option to buy, a similar deal to the one that saw him move to Bayern Munich in 2019/20.
The 29-year-old cost the La Liga giants around £142m in January 2018 and is now valued at just €30m (£25m) by CIES Football Observatory.
Nuno needs him
Whilst he has struggled with form and injuries over in Spain, Coutinho is still in his peak years and will always be remembered for his glistening stint at Anfield.
Across 201 appearances for Liverpool, the 63-time Brazil international provided 54 goals and 45 assists, which worked out to be a direct contribution every 150 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.
An impressive feat.
At his scintillating best, he was a simply world-class maestro and that much is evident by the whopping nine-figure fee he commanded three-and-a-half years ago.
Coutinho did manage to show a glimpse of that form during a loan spell at Bayern, where his 11 goals and nine assists helped secure the treble.
Spurs truly do lack a player of his calibre – someone that can outwit the opposition with an exciting bit of skill or a defence-splitting pass, on top of delivering killer set-pieces and that knack for finding the net.
It’s believed that Fabio Paratici and co will now target the addition of a creative player after sealing a marquee centre-back in Cristian Romero. Perhaps the former Reds star is the answer.
During his time at the Allianz Arena, Coutinho averaged 2.2 key passes every 90 minutes. Those returns would see him sit top of the charts in North London, alongside Heung-min Son.
Current creative options at Nuno Santo’s disposal include Tanguy Ndombele (0.8 key passes per 90), Dele Alli (1.3) and Giovani Lo Celso (1.4), so you can see why the Portuguese coach may have requested a new playmaker.
Speaking about Coutinho’s ability in the past, Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino had nothing but praise for his fellow countryman.
“He’s phenomenal. You simply can’t say that he’s not a magician,” he claimed (via Goal.com). “He has magical powers. He produces plays that don’t exist, that you couldn’t make up.”
Spurs very much should consider a swoop for the creative talent this month. Nuno is in need of someone capable of pulling the strings in attacking midfield and there won’t be a more Premier League proven option than Coutinho out there.
AND in other news, “It’s done”: Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Spurs transfer update, fans surely buzzing…