Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal:
Mikel Arteta has an energy and a sense of direction that suggests a plan is in place and has a chance of succeeding. Victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup semifinal represented as good a performance and result in a major game as Arsenal has enjoyed in years. And perhaps most promisingly, there is a crop of exciting young players who have played at least semi-regularly this season.
Bukayo Saka is probably the pick of them, but Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Gabriel Martinelli, Reiss Nelson and William Saliba all offer hope for the future.
Atletico’s Thomas Partey would be available if Arsenal can match his €50 million release clause, but if that is too much, then Porto’s Danilo Pereira is a cut-price option.
In the front the Gunners have targeted the Barcelona outcast Coutinho, and the Brazilian is also eager to make his move to team where he could find the game time which is required.