Even though it’s easy to see the connection between Philippe Coutinho and Arsenal, as well as why both sides would want a deal, it’s not going to be so simple to get it done.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 05: Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Allianz Arena on February 05, 2020, in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY: Philippe Coutinho of FC Bayern Munich looks on during a DFB Cup match on February 05, 2020. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Goal report that an Arsenal move for Philippe Coutinho ‘looks impossible’ right now, simply because they don’t have the money.

Even if they agreed on some kind of swap deal with Barcelona, the player’s £240,000-a-week wages would still represent a huge obstacle. If they tried to buy him on a permanent deal, the La Liga club want around £100m.

Signing a playmaker also wasn’t top of Arsenal’s list of priorities this summer anyway. Even before the pandemic, they were looking at a box-to-box midfielder, a centre-back and a right-back.

The only reason the media is taking this deal seriously at all is the connection between Coutinho and Arsenal. The player’s agent is a fan of the Gunners and knows Raul Sanllehi well. Coutinho himself would like a move back to the Premier League.

Various Spanish outlets are using those links to claim the two parties are in contact and discussing a loan deal, which still isn’t impossible. It’s just looking very unlikely as things stand.