Super-agent determined to engineer moves to Arsenal for exciting Brazilian duo

Kia Joorabchian is steering two of his clients in Willian and Philippe Coutinho towards Arsenal, according to a report.

The super-agent has close ties to Arsenal, which could benefit them in the transfer market. Among his clients are Coutinho and Willian – and Sport speculate that both could end up at the Emirates Stadium.

Willian is about to become a free agent upon the expiry of his contract at Chelsea. Despite being open to staying at Stamford Bridge, the winger now appears to be closing in on a move across London.

Arsenal still have to find a way to finance the deal, but a conclusion to his transfer saga is near. Sport (via Sport Witness) claim that Willian is “very close” to completing his switch to Arsenal. What’s more, the Catalan source thinks Coutinho “could be next”.

The former Liverpool star has been repeatedly linked with a return to the Premier League recently. His move to Barcelona in 2018 did not work out, and he spent this season on loan at Bayern Munich.

The Bundesliga champions are unwilling to keep him on a permanent deal. Therefore, if Barcelona want rid of him, they will have to find another suitor.

Arsenal could be that club, with Joorabchian ready to work on a potential deal for the 28-year-old. And the next few days will be “decisive” to the negotiations, according to Sport.

 

Arsenal admire the player greatly, but Barcelona only want to sell him for cash. Previous reports had suggested a potential swap deal that would send Matteo Guendouzi to Camp Nou.

If Coutinho was to follow Willian to Arsenal, it would be a blow for their rivals Tottenham. Jose Mourinho’s side had entered the race for Coutinho, and some outlets even thought they were the new favourites to sign him.

However, it appears Joorabchian is orchestrating a double deal for Arsenal, instead. It would come just months after he led David Luiz and Cedric Soares to the Emirates.

 

Arsenal come under fire over redundancies

Arsenal are to make 55 redundancies due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the club’s finances, the club has announced.

In a statement issued by the club’s head of football Raul Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham, they pointed to severe drops in broadcast revenue as the main reason for the plan.

They also moved to assure supporters that investment into the team will continue despite the loss of jobs. The PA news agency understands the cuts will come across some football departments as well as commercial and administrative roles.

However, the decision has been met with fierce criticism in the media.

Read Arsenal’s statement about the planned lay-offs together with some of the outrage at the decision here.