Arsenal are set to take on Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Sunday for the pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy.
Off the pitch, the Gunners’ head of football Raul Sanllehi will be in attendance and is set to meet his Barcelona counterparts. And with talk over a move for Philippe Coutinho in the offing it is being claimed Sanllehi could look to secure a shock deal.
Spanish publication Sport claim Barca are ready to send the Brazil ace out on loan with the Premier League the most likely destination.
Barcelona want to sell the midfielder, who cost £143million just 18 months ago, after he failed to make a substantial impact.
But they may struggle to recoup such a hefty fee so are willing to loan the 27-year-old out with an option to buy.
It is thought the La Liga giants will demand a loan fee to cover the instalments they are still paying to Liverpool. And with the Premier League the most likely destination, Arsenal could steal a march on their rivals just by being in the city tomorrow.
The Premier League looks the most likely destination and Sport say Arsenal are closing in on a move for the Brazilian.
However, it is unclear where the north London side will find any money for the deal, especially after shelling out a club-record £72m for Nicolas Pepe earlier this week.