Transfer Talk: Arsenal keep up Coutinho hunt as Villans eye Phillips

Arsenal have been linked with Philippe Coutinho once again following their 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

Villans boss Steven Gerrard is desperate to trigger the Brazilian loanee's £33million buy-out clause this summer to seal a permanent deal from Barcelona.

But Coutinho has been on the Gunners' radar for some time and Spanish outlet Sport report that Mikel Arteta is preparing to make a swoop.

Arsenal's victory at Villa firmly established their top-four credentials and offering Champions League football would make them hard to turn down.

Villans chiefs are concerned over Coutinho's wages with Barca currently picking up 50% of the cost and Gerrard has admitted that the deal could be complicated to get over the line.

The attacking midfielder has seven goal contributions in 10 games at Villa Park but was unable to create much against an improved Arsenal defence at the weekend.

Another player on the Villans' radar is Leeds and England star Kalvin Phillips, with the Midlands outfit said to be preparing a £60m bid by The Times.

West Ham and Newcastle are also hot on the heels for the combative midfielder, 26, who has recently returned from injury.

In other news

Manchester City fear that Real Madrid have moved ahead of them in the race to sign Erling Haaland, claim Mundo Deportivo.

Monaco are demanding at least £42m for Liverpool and Chelsea target Aurelien Tchouameni, according to Foot Mercato.

De Telegraaf report that Bayern Munich have made a £21m bid for Ajax prodigy Ryan Gravenberch.