Reports emerged on Friday that Arsenal were preparing to do a crazy deal with Liverpool that would see them try to sign Philippe Coutinho by using Aaron Ramsey as ‘bait’.

While most of the Arsenal fans I know don’t rate Coutinho, I like him as a player, although he can clearly develop his game much more.

Ramsey, on the other hand, is adored by the fans I know personally, and while he comes in for intense criticism from some sections of the support, most would prefer he stays.

This deal makes no sense whatsoever.

Aaron Ramsey of Arsenal battles for the ball with Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 4, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Swapsies? (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

For a start, swap deals rarely ever happen.

They are both of similar age and have a similar transfer value but that’s about all you can say they share. They are vastly different players that would take so much away from their respective teams that would not be replaced by bringing in the other.

The rumour seems to have started on the site Kickoff.co.uk and spread from there. They claim Liverpool are vulnerable to losing their star players because they aren’t in the Champions League but offer no explanation as to why Ramsey would go there if that was the case.

If Ramsey were to leave it would be for one club – Barcelona. He’s expressed a desire to play there a few times, much to the chagrin of us all.

Arsene Wenger could, of course, just sell him to Liverpool.

But he won’t.

He loves Ramsey and uses him wherever he can fit him into the squad.

Nonsense all around.