Tottenham are leading the chase for Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho, according to the Daily Mail.
Coutinho, 28, looks set to leave Barca this summer after arriving from Liverpool in 2018.
The Brazilian was loaned out to Bayern Munich, where he has impressed sporadically, but he is unlikely to remain in Bavaria and his agent has touted him for a return to the Premier League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, Spurs and Newcastle have all been linked with a move for the playmaker.
Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian recently admitted Coutinho was keen to return to England.
“It’s no secret he wants to come back to the Premier League,” Joorabchian said.
“It’s still very much open. There is a lot of genuine interest.”
And the Mail have a feature in which all five clubs are mentioned and their chances of signing the player. With Tottenham coming out on top at 8/10.
“Probably leading the race for Coutinho right now. If Tottenham want him enough, getting a deal completed should be fairly straightforward,” according to the tabloid.
The article also claims: “Signing someone of Coutinho’s ilk may also help Tottenham in their bid to keep hold of star man Harry Kane, who is desperate to win trophies.”
Arsenal could sign Coutinho on loan this summer, if Barca cannot find a buyer for him.
They are rated at 6/10 to get a deal done, while Leicester are 7/10, but Brendon Rodgers “will need to work his magic to get him to turn down other sides”.
Joorabchian has warned that a quick deal for Coutinho is very unlikely and said the decision to push the Champions League back will more than likely mean a move will be delayed until September.
He added: “Because the Champions League will run until August 23, it will be difficult for players like Coutinho to make any commitments or moves pre that date.
“Because he has the Champions League at the moment, they have to qualify past Chelsea. And then he has got to play Barcelona, believe it or not.
“For him to make a commitment pre having finished the Champions League.
“He loves playing in the Premier League, he is adored playing in the Premier League and that is one of his priorities.
“He is not at all against staying at Barcelona.”
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