Barcelona expect Newcastle United could try and sign Philippe Coutinho during the January transfer window, according to Sport, sparking some Magpies fans to react on social media.
The Blaugrana are desperate to offload the Brazilian once and for all in the winter market with his future clouded. Xavi Hernandez’s imminent arrival to replace Ronald Koeman at the helm is likely to push Coutinho further out of favour.
Coutinho’s playing style does not suit Xavi’s preferred system, while his performances have also already underwhelmed club chiefs this season. Koeman only handed him 444-minutes over 10 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored once and did not assist.
Interim boss Sergi Barjuan also started the Camp Nou outfit’s £105m signing on the bench against Deportivo Alaves last weekend. While overlooking him entirely during the Catalan giant’s 1-0 win at Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Barcelona had tried to sell Coutinho in each of the last two summer transfer windows, but failed to find suitors. His £380k-a-week salary also makes it imperative that the Blaugrana again try to offload the former Liverpool playmaker in January.
Newcastle are interested in a transfer for Coutinho, with Sport also reporting the Magpies’ Saudi-led owners like the Barcelona midfielder. Now, Catalunya-based newspaper claim the Camp Nou hierarchy expect the Toon will advance their interest. They would also be open to sending Coutinho out on loan, providing it features an obligation to buy next summer.
Barcelona valued Coutinho at €50m (£42m) last summer, but may accept a lesser fee in January if Newcastle do advance. Additionally, Sport note Coutinho has never hidden his interest in one day returning to the Premier League.
Newcastle fans react to Barcelona expecting Coutinho transfer interest
Barcelona allegedly expecting Newcastle to target a mid-season transfer for Coutinho has sparked some Magpies fans to react online. That’s because a few would be delighted to see the Selecao playmaker line up at St James’ Park in black-and-white.
But others put the speculation down to the Blaugrana trying to capitalise on the Saudi-led takeover on Tyneside. While some also note the Toon have more pressing areas of concern to address in January than signing a playmaker.
So, here are some of the messages Newcastle fans shared on Barcelona expecting Coutinho transfer interest from St James’…
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