Spurs target Coutinho left out of Barca’s clash with Napoli amid transfer deadline day interest

PHILIPPE COUTINHO was left out of Barcelona’s squad for this morning’s clash with Napoli as uncertainty mounts over his future.

The Brazilian forward is wanted by a host of clubs as the Catalans look to try and shift him out of the Nou Camp.

And the 27-year-old was not even named on the bench as the La Liga giants overcame their Serie A opposition 2-1 in Miami courtesy of goals from Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.

However, claim a return to England is unlikely today for the ex-Liverpool ace.

Despite being offered to a number of Premier League sides, Coutinho seems determined to stay and fight for his place.

Barca hoped to push through a £27m loan move to Tottenham, but talks have broken down.

Old club Liverpool were not interested in bringing him back to Anfield while Arsenal were never in for the Samba star, despite claims in Spanish media.

Chelsea’s transfer ban stopped them from making a move while Manchester United failed to firm up their interest.

Barca head coach Ernesto Valverde confirmed after the Napoli game Coutinho could still depart but insisted he will not be frozen out if he stays.

He said: “Of course I am counting on him. We don’t know what’s going to happen, but he’s with us.

“He didn’t play today because, like Arthur and [Arturo] Vidal, they’ve only had two training sessions.

“The plan is the same. Bring them in little by little. We will see if on Saturday he can play some minutes.

“The idea is the same with him as everyone else. We count on him, of course.”

Coutinho could still leave this window with reports stating he could be offered to Paris Saint-Germain by Barcelona as part of a package to bring Neymar back to the Nou Camp.

Barca kick-off their La Liga campaign against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.