Arsenal have reportedly made contact with the entourage of Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho over a potential summer move.
The 29-year-old has reignited his career on loan at Aston Villa, registering four goals and three assists in 10 Premier League matches under the tutelage of ex-Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.
Villa possess the option to sign Coutinho permanently for a fee of €40m (£33.4m) this summer, and the Brazil international has seemingly confirmed that he will leave Barcelona for good in a few months' time.
The Lions may face stiff competition for Coutinho's signature, though, as Mundo Deportivo claims that Arsenal have touched base with the attacker's entourage.
The report adds that Coutinho is not prepared to make a decision on his future until the end of the season, but the pull of London and potential Champions League football could aid Arsenal's bid to sign him.
Coutinho has registered 25 goals and 14 assists in 106 games for Barcelona, and his deal at Camp Nou is due to expire in the summer of 2023.
Ben Knapton
