Football is back, but you're living in dreamland if you think that will be enough to stem the tide of flimsy rumours related to the game's most over-priced players.
Where Gareth Bale was once the centre of attention, however, it's Philippe Coutinho who has now taken to centre court.
The Brazilian's move to Barcelona in January 2018 was designed to catapult him into the stratosphere, but a series of bad decisions - including but not limited to joining Bayern Munich on loan - have seen his stock fall steadily ever since.
?? Happy birthday, former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho! ?#UEL | #HBD pic.twitter.com/xBKnmNBbAa
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) June 12, 2020
Now he faces an uncertain summer. Having seemingly played his last game for Bayern despite four rounds of Bundesliga fixtures remaining, it's pretty clear Barca are keen to cut their losses on a player they once paid €140m for, but his price tag remains high enough to dissuade most casually interested parties.
Yet there are no shortage of clubs who would like to sign him. Sources have indicated to 90min that that former suitors Liverpool are not among them, but virtually every other club in the Premier League, in an ideal world, would be keen to bring him in.
Tottenham are no exception to that...but would they be so keen as to offer up their best defender, as well as a highly promising midfielder they paid close to £60m for in the summer? It seems doubtful.
Yet that's what Catalan outlet SPORT are claiming. The story goes that José Mourinho's Spurs are one of several Premier League clubs in negotiations, and are prepared to put Tanguy Ndombélé and/or Toby Alderweireld on the table in order to keep the price down.
Happy 2⃣8⃣th birthday, @Phil_Coutinho! ?#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/hyODEGhB56
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) June 12, 2020
It's doubtful the north London club would be willing to part with any player in the current climate, while it's not even clear that Barcelona would be open to such a deal, considering Mundo Deportivo say their priority remains on raising cash to sign Lautaro Martinez.
SPORT source 'the British press' for this one, but as usual, the only reports available in 'the British press' link back to them, which probably tells you all you need to know about the substance to this particular rumour.
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Source : 90min