Arsenal and Chelsea blow in Coutinho transfer race as Barcelona boss Setien reveals plan to ask him to STAY next season
CHELSEA and Arsenal have been dealt a major transfer blow with Barcelona expecting Philippe Coutinho to stay at the Nou Camp.
The London rivals were leading the race to land the Brazilian when the window reopens in the summer.
Chelsea stole the march by contacting his agent Kia Joorabchian and remain in pole position should Barcelona sell up with his client keen on a return to England after performing at Liverpool.
Tottenham and Manchester United were among the Premier League sides also showing interest.
But Barca coach Quique Setien poured cold water on the speculation by insisting he wants to keep hold of Coutinho - or would only sell him for a premium price.
Speaking to RAC1, the Spaniard said: "I think Coutinho is a great player, I really like him.
"He is still a Barcelona player. You have to pay the clause or pay a sum to Barca.
"I think he can be here at the beginning of next season. I have to talk to him to ask him."
Barcelona signed Coutinho, 27, from Liverpool in January 2018 for £145million.
Just 18 months later – and with 21 goals in 76 appearances – he was shipped out to Bayern on loan.
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Coutinho has nine goals and eight assists in 32 games for Bayern this season.
But the German giants are not believes to be interested in exercising their £105million option to buy him at the end of his temporary spell.
Barca are understandably keen to recoup as much of Coutinho’s £145m transfer fee as possible.
However, in order to match his release clause, clubs would have to offer the Catalan giants a bonkers £355m, which simply will not happen.
The club are expecting to see the transfer market dominated by swap deals rather than big transfer fees this summer.
Manchester City's Joao Cancelo is thought to be on their radar and therefore a straight swap with Nelson Semedo could be on the cards.
And that could play into Barcelona's hands with Coutinho as they may try and use him as a makeweight in a deal to land one of Chelsea or Arsenal's stars.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was linked with a move in January but a deal did not materialise - Barca instead bought Martin Braithwaite in a controversial emergency deal outside of the transfer window.
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Barcelona are also keen on Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez and a reunion with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar.
The Brazilian left the Nou Camp for the Parc des Princes in a world-record move in 2017 but Setien could not deny his admiration for the forward.
Asked about a potential Camp Nou return for Neymar, the Barca boss added: "I like all great footballers, there are a dozen in Europe who are extraordinary. But I really like the ones I have too."
