Arsenal could reportedly sign Coutinho permanently for Guendouzi plus £9 million

Arsenal could reportedly sign Philippe Coutinho permanently from Barcelona by sending Matteo Guendouzi to the Camp Nou and paying an additional £9 million, according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Barcelona are desperate to move Coutinho on this summer to raise funds so that they can sign their primary transfer targets. The Blaugrana will not be able make signings without selling some of their players. They have reportedly offered the Brazilian to both Arsenal and Tottenham but the Gunners seem more likely to sign the player.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta wants the club to sell Matteo Guendouzi this summer as the French midfielder is not a part of his plans. The option to swap Coutinho and Guendouzi with the Gunners shelling out an additional £9 million has been presented but it is not clear whether this deal has been suggested by Barcelona or Arsenal. 

The transfer plans at the Emirates are partly dependent on the club winning the FA Cup final against Chelsea tomorrow and qualifying for next season’s Europa League. If Arsenal get into Europe, their spending power will be significantly boosted. 

Juventus are also interested in signing the former Lorient midfielder and this complicates a potential swap deal involving Coutinho and Guendouzi. Arsenal are said to have broached the possibility of a swap with the Italian champions as well. 

The Gunners are unlikely to sign the Brazilian in a cash-only deal as they do not have a large enough transfer budget to do that. They will explore the possibility of signing Coutinho on a loan or through a player exchange.