According to Sport in Spain, Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to pay Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho's 222,000 euros per week wage in order to sign him on loan from Barcelona when he returns from his current loan spell at Bayern Munich.

The North London club, who almost signed him at the end of the 2019 summer transfer window, are believed to only be in the market for loan players and pre-contract or free agent signings this summer.

However, Coutinho is believed to be a top target for Jose Mourinho this summer, and chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly ready to give the green light for the one year deal which could include an optional future fee clause.

It has been just over a couple years now since we have seen Coutinho playing in the Premier League, so how likely is this deal to materialise over the summer?

Strict budget

As previously mentioned, Spurs reportedly have little to no available budget for permanent transfers, unless they are on pre-contracts or they are free agents. 

This means Spurs are likely to have to dip into the loan market if they are to improve their squad this summer. 

Various reports have suggested one way Mourinho can raise some funds is by moving on players such as Erik Lamela, Serge Aurier, Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth.

If this were to be the case though, it is likely Spurs may target a more defensive signing, rather than an attacking option.

Where would Coutinho fit in? 

Since Christian Eriksen's departure to Inter Milan, The Lilywhites have been on the look out for a creative attacking midfielder to replace the void in the side the Dane left.

While Giovani Lo Celso has performed well in place of Eriksen, Spurs seemingly have relied on the Argentine playmaker heavily this season and the former Real Betis man has struggled to assist or score.

But with Coutinho lining up alongside him, with Heung-Min Son also to his side and Harry Kane back to full fitness, the signing of Coutinho may bring the best out of Lo Celso and would also completely transform the Tottenham attack, with Dele Alli and Steven Bergwijn providing healthy competition for places.

Alternative targets

There are three potential Tottenham targets who's contracts are all up this summer capable of providing squad depth in the attacking midfield position - albeit arguably none quite as good as Coutinho.

Alternative option number one is World Cup winner Mario Götze, someone who once upon a time was tipped to become a legend of the game.

While his tale will still be told for years to come, injury has stunted his development significantly and as a result, Borussia Dortmund have told him his time at the club is over - making him available for clubs to sign on a pre-contract. 

Alternative option number two is AFC Bournemouth winger and assist machine Ryan Fraser. The Scotsman has been linked with Spurs for the best part of a year now alongside their arch rivals Arsenal.

A similar player to Bergwijn in many respects, Fraser is someone, who at 26-years-old, is hitting his prime and that may be an influencing factor for Spurs - along with the winger's low wage demands.

Alternative option number three is Chelsea winger Willian - a player Spurs so almost signed back in 2013 to replace Gareth Bale, before the former Shakhtar Donetsk and Anzhi Makhachkala star left mid-medical to sign for Chelsea.

Mourinho is a big fan of Willian, having previously managed him at Chelsea, and despite the Spurs fans opinion of the 31-year-old winger, is desperate to bring him to the club on a free transfer.