Coutinho as an Arsenal player

Philippe Coutinho would have improved Arsenal but the Gunners were never likely to land the Barcelona ace, Nigel Winterburn claims.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and even Liverpool were linked with a move for the 27-year-old, who has struggled to find form at Barcelona after quitting Anfield in January 2017.

“I don’t consider Arsenal missing out on Coutinho as a blow because I don’t think that it was ever realistic,” he told SportingBet.

“Some of the figures that were bandied about, I’ve read that the deal could be worth up to £40 million, would have been an incredible investment from Arsenal for a loan deal and something that just cannot happen.

“He’s a terrific player, I think he would enhance most squads, but I don’t see it as a missed opportunity, because I was never convinced it was an option.”