Arsenal have been told to sign Philippe Coutinho if they get the chance with the Gunners recently linked with a move for the current Aston Villa loanee at the end of the season.
Coutinho joined Steven Gerrard's side on loan from Barcelona in the January transfer window and has slotted seamlessly back into Premier League life. The 29-year-old has scored four goals and assisted three more in just ten top-flight appearances, pushing Villa into contention for European football.
The West Midlands side have the option to sign Coutinho for £33 million come the end of the season but Arsenal are considering hijacking the move. According to Sport, Mikel Arteta and co. are pondering their own move for the attacking midfielder come the summer, seemingly impressed by his form in the top-flight.
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Arsenal have impressed in the attacking half of the field this term, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe all regularly contributing. But with Alexandre Lacazette set to leave on a free transfer as things stand, Arteta may be looking to add some more experience to his ranks.
It is a move that former Chelsea and Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, who played alongside the Brazilian at Anfield, believes would be a no-brainer, suggesting that Coutinho would be an upgrade on current first-choice number 10 Odegaard.
“If Arsenal got the chance to sign him then they need to sign him," Johnson said in an interview with BettingOdds. "He would be the best number ten they’ve got without a shadow of a doubt. I think the move is a possibility if Arsenal get fourth. I should be Coutinho’s agent as I’ll never stop singing his praises. When this player enjoys his football then he’s got all sorts in his locker. He’s come to the hardest league in the world, into a team that was struggling and he’s running the show."
If Edu were to bring Coutinho in, it could prove a controversial move with Odegaard proving a popular figure among the Emirates faithful. Since signing on permanent terms in the summer, the 23-year-old has been an ever-present in Arteta's squad, missing just two Premier League games.
