Romano Reveals How Close Arsenal Came To Signing Barca Ace In The Summer

Romano Reveals How Close Arsenal Came To Signing Barca Ace In The Summer

The Guardian journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal were “really close” to signing Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho back in August.

The La Liga side were open to selling the Brazilian after he returned from his loan spell at Bayern Munich but the arrival of Ronald Koeman as manager scuppered the Gunners’ plan. The Dutchman was aware that a replacement could not be brought in if the former Liverpool star was offloaded and Romano says the decision was made to keep hold of him:


“Barca were considering to sell Philippe Coutinho and he was on the list to sell, so his agents were working to offer him to Tottenham, to Arsenal. Arsenal were really close and at the start of August, they were ready. But once Koeman arrived, he understood it was difficult to sign other players, for example Memphis Depay.”

Arsenal could revisit the Coutinho transfer in a future transfer window if the 28-year-old becomes available again. At this moment in time, though, that doesn’t look to be too realistic.

Koeman has started the midfielder in four of Barca’s first seven matches this campaign, and it does appear that the Brazilian international has revived his career at the Camp Nou, having scored two goals and contributed two assists already.

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.