£120m Liverpool star remains as Barcelona No 1 target, Arsenal playmaker deemed as back-up option

Barcelona have not given up hopes of Liverpool star playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

According to the Spanish outlet Marca, the Brazil international remains as Barcelona’s number one transfer target.

The La Liga giants spent the summer trying to land Coutinho and even tabled a bid in excess of £120 million (Sport).

However, Liverpool turned down all offered for their star man. The Merseyside based club are in a particularly strong negotiating position after Coutinho singed a new five-year deal back in January.

See More: Liverpool star left out Klopp but included Brendan Rodgers among managers that have had ‘greatest effect’

Marca go onto state that Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil is also a Barca target however, the Germany international is only being viewed as a back-up option to Coutinho.

Ozil’s Arsenal future is looking increasingly uncertain after failing to pen a new deal with the Gunners. The 29-year-old’s contract with Arsenal expires in under seven months meaning he could leave the club for free next summer.

Both Coutinho and Ozil are expected to feature tonight in the Premier League.