Barcelona had her set of outcasts in the last couple of seasons – one of the most covered by speculations is for sure Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.New Barca boss Xavi has informed the Brazilian that he can expect limited minutes under his stewardship – Therefore, the 29-year-old Coutinho is ready to change his surroundings in order to get more playing time.More Covid issues for Barcelona – Dembele, Gavi and Umtiti test positiveHe has been linked with a host of English clubs after falling out of favour at the Nou Camp and reportedly Arsenal are the frontrunners to land him on loan next month.Even though numerous media mentioned Newcastle as his next stop, the Brazilian is allegedly not attracted to a club fighting for Premier League survival.Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Newcastle are all reportedly keeping tabs on the former Liverpool star and according to Spanish outlet Sport, Coutinho is leaning towards a switch to north London in January.Sat, 15.30: (6.75) ARSENAL (4.40) MAN CITY (1.53)His Camp Nou 270,000-USD-per-week wages are something Coutinho is aware he will not get at his next club and the Gunners impose as someone who can match both his ambitions and lowered wage demands. Money aside, Coutinho wants a destination that meets his goals on the pitch.Despite the newly-rich Magpies, Newcastle appears an unlikely option for the Brazilian. The club is holding lofty hopes of disrupting English football’s elite but their current relegation struggles are too much for the quick-footed midfielder.Barca are desperate to offload a handful of stars in the January window as they look to ease their financial woes. The club announced the 75 million USD signing of Ferran Torres from Man City this week, but need to get the likes of Samuel Umtiti and Coutinho off the wage bill. The Brazilian has reportedly been offered to north London rivals – Tottenham and Arsenal – in recent weeks, with the Gunners initially holding reservations over a loan move purely based on the finances over a deal. However, it is understood that if Coutinho is open to accepting a lower salary, his move to Emirates Stadium could happen.Sun, 17.00: (1.80) SOUTHAMPTON (3.70) NEWCASTLE (5.00)’It would be useful to change something, even if it is never easy.’ Arteta previously said of his January transfer plans.’We are working towards this, to understand what our needs are, and to find the right solutions.’The Gunners currently occupy fourth spot in the Premier League, with youngsters Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli impressing for the north Londoners. The Catalans on the other hand are struggling, both financially and on the pitch. Barcelona announced that club debts had passed 1.3 billion USD and a number of senior players including Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba took pay cuts to help the club. Camp Nou team sits seventh in La Liga.
