Unai Emery says that a proposed loan move taking Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona to Arsenal as not been ‘talked about at any time.’ The La Liga champions are willing to let the Brazilian leave this summer and would consider allowing him to go out on a season-long loan, for a substantial fee of around £27.4m. Reports in Spain suggest that Coutinho is not interested in a loan switch, however, and still wants to stay and fight for his place at the Nou Camp. Emery has also distanced the club from rumours of a move for the Liverpool man, although admits that he is a big fan of the player. Speaking after Arsenal’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, Emery said, via SER: ‘We’ve never talked about Coutinho. He’s a splendid player, but we haven’t talked about Coutinho at any time.’
Coutinho was an unused substitute in the game at the Nou Camp which saw Luis Suarez score a last minute winner for the Catalans. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Barca the lead before an Ainsley Maitland-Niles own goal leveled things up. Despite defeat, Emery was pleased with the pre-season run out and is raring to go for the start of the Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on Sunday. ‘Good feelings today, the game has been positive,’ continued the Spaniard. ‘I look forward to the Premier League, there we have to look for a performance and a better result than today.’
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