Tottenham Hotspur called off its pursuit of Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho as a result of the high fee being demanded, according to reports. The North Londoners were keen on bringing the Brazilian back to the Premier League but were unwilling to pay £40 million for the attacker's season-long loan.
Coutinho has been identified among the players that could depart Barcelona this summer as the Catalan club aims to lessen the burden on its wage structure. Having failed to hit consistent form following his big-money signing from Liverpool in 2018, Los Blaugrana aims to cut its losses by parting ways with the 27-year-old forward.
A host of top Premier League clubs were said to be interested in a move although later indications suggested that a move to Tottenham Hotspur remained the most probable for the ex-Liverpool star. Having previously worked with Mauricio Pochettino at Espanyol, the transfer was one which would have apparently delighted the Brazilian.
However, according to Mirror, the deal could not materialize with Spurs opting against paying £30 million as transfer fee for Coutinho's loan acquisition, on top of £1 million per month in wages. The player was subsequently offered to Arsenal with the same terms but the Gunners followed in the steps of their cross-town rivals and declined the opportunity to sign him.
At the moment, Paris Saint-Germain remains the most likely destination for Coutinho should he consider a move away from Barca. Les Parisiens are reportedly in talks with the Camp Nou outfit for the potential transfer of his Neymar Jr and could throw in the idea of acquiring the ex-Liverpool star's signature as part of the deal to sign their biggest asset this summer.
