Barcelona ready to sell Philippe Countinho set deadline

Countinho has been linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer ( GettyImages)

Barcelona have hinted that they are ready to sell star midfielder Philippe Countinho with a transfer deadline set for the deal.

Coutinho spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich helping to win a treble with the champions league winners, only to return to Barca with the appointment of Ronald Koeman.

However, it has not quite worked out for the ex-Liverpool star, who has scored just twice in La Liga.

Sport had reported that Barca are looking to offload the 28-year-old due to financial problems at the club.

Barca signed Countinho for £148m from Liverpool in January 2018 but will have to let him leave for less  the amount they spent on him as he is currently valued at £54 m according to transfermarkt

Coutinho has lost his place in the Catalans’ first team, with Antoine Griezmann, Pedri and Lionel Messi have all been preferred in the No. 10 option.

The Spanish giants are trying to recover from financial crisis suffered by the club amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Arsenal have been reportedly linked to the Brazilian International, seeking a creative midfielder according to club director Edu.

Club chief Edu said at Tuesday’s Arsenal fans’ forum: “It’s quite clear what we need. We need a player with creativity in the middle, we don’t have that in the squad right now.”

This is coming following Outcast, Mesut Ozil, who is set to leave Arsenal by next January transfer window.

Arsenal trying to reach an agreement with neglected star Mesut Ozil