Sky Sports expert, Kaveh Solhekol has revealed that Barcelona has told Tottenham that obtaining Philippe Coutinho on a loan deal with include an option to sign him next season.
Report emanating last night revealed that Tottenham manager Maurico Pochettino called Coutinho to convince him to join the English Premier League side. Both men worked together at Espanyol.
However, Barcelona are willing to recoup some of the £142million they paid to Liverpool for his services.
“Tottenham are now favourites to sign Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona,” Solhekol told Sky Sports Transfer Talk.
”Of course he has been told that he can leave the Nou Camp this summer.
“What is interesting is that he has played for Mauricio Pochettino before when he was at Espanyol. Pochettino was the Espanyol manager so there is a link there.
“Not very many teams could afford to sign Coutinho this summer. I think what Barcelona are look for is something up to €100m(£92m) for him.
“There are very few clubs willing to spend that kind of money on Coutinho.
“So what Barcelona are saying to interested clubs is ‘We will let you have Coutinho on loan and then you will have an option to buy him next summer’.
“A loan plus a permanent move.”
On why Barcelona are Keen on selling Coutinho despite signing him 18 months ago:
“Simply, Barcelona have signed Antoine Griezmann this summer,” Solhekol added.
“They also want to raise funds to try and sign Neymar back from PSG.
“One of the players they have looked at letting go is Philippe Coutinho. He has been offered to lots of clubs and one of those clubs is Spurs.
“And Spurs are very interested in signing him to the extent thatchy are now the favourites.”