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.”