Barcelona have offered Philippe Coutinho to both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – but he doesn’t fancy a move to St James’ Park.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (19/12, p66), who claim that Barcelona are desperately trying to offload players.
They want to fund a move for Manchester City attacker Ferran Torres and Coutinho is one player who can go.
Barcelona are understood to be actively pushing Coutinho out to other clubs, with Newcastle and Tottenham targeted.
The problem with that plan is that Coutinho is described as being ‘reluctant’ to make the move to Newcastle.
Tottenham may have a chance, but Coutinho’s wages will surely be a problem.
How much does Coutinho earn at Barcelona?
AS report that Coutinho earns a staggering €20million-a-year at Barcelona – around £325,000-a-week.
Tottenham and Newcastle would have little chance of getting even near that number, making any deal seem unlikely.
Newcastle and Tottenham should avoid Coutinho
Coutinho was a Premier League star with Liverpool but just hasn’t lived up to his ridiculous £146million price tag at Barcelona.
Now approaching his 30’s, Coutinho isn’t the player he was. The Brazilian has managed just five league starts this season and certainly wouldn’t be arriving at full sharpness.
That isn’t what Newcastle need in their battle against the drop, and you have to question whether Coutinho would fit into Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side.
Conte is playing without a number 10 and Coutinho certainly isn’t going to displace Son Heung-min.
Once upon a time, Newcastle and Tottenham would have jumped at the chance to sign Coutinho. Now, they’re probably better off looking elsewhere.
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