Philippe Coutino has been linked with a shock move to Newcastle United as speculation continues over the former Liverpool star’s future.
Coutinho could be on his way back to the Premier League this summer, with Chelsea believed to be leading the race to sign the Barcelona misfit.
Tottenham, Everton and Leicester have also been touted as potential destinations for the Brazilian, who has failed to hit the heights of his starring role at Liverpool since making a big-money move to Barca in January 2018.
But Newcastle are the latest club to be mentioned in connection with the 27-year-old, who has spent the season on loan at Bayern Munich.
With the Magpies set for a £300million takeover by a Saudi-led consortium, Mundo Deportivo reports that the Tyneside club would be willing to match Barcelona’s £110m price tag for Coutinho.
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The attacking midfielder would be a flagship signing for new owners looking to establish Newcastle as a serious force in the Premier League.
Bayern are believed to be unwilling to pay Barcelona’s asking price to make Coutinho’s switch permanent, while Liverpool have told the player they are not interested in re-signing him.
Brendan Rodgers was the man who signed Coutinho at Liverpool, which has led to the Leicester connection, while Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to splash the cash at Goodison Park and is understood to be an admirer of the Brazilian.
But former Sunderland and Aston Villa forward Darren Bent believes Coutinho would snub a move to the Toffees over fears for the safety of his family, having spent five years at Merseyside rivals Liverpool.
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Bent told Football Insider: “I’m not sure if that’s going to happen.
“Coutinho, I feel a little bit sorry for Coutinho because I feel like he’s being handed around, being offered to clubs left, right and centre.
“This is a guy with a lot of quality. He’s gone to Barcelona, maybe doesn’t quite fit the way they want to play which is quite surprising.
“If Everton can get him, I’m not quite sure he would go there, just for the safety of his family and stuff. I’m not sure that’s the right thing to do but if they can get him it would be a fantastic signing. I can see him going elsewhere.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
However, Marca has reported that Barca boss Quique Setien could even end up handing Coutinho a second chance to impress at Camp Nou.
The Spanish publication says Barca do not believe they will receive a satisfactory bid this summer, with clubs across the world having been hit hard by the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
If they cannot find a buyer in the coming months, Barca will look to send Coutinho out on loan again.
This time, though, they would most likely include an obligation to buy the player.
