Newcastle have reportedly opened talks to sign Philippe Coutinho as he continues to shine on loan at Aston Villa. Villa remain on pole position, but Newcastle are keen and Alan Shearer heaped huge praise on him this term.
Coutinho, 29, has been on fire since joining Villa and reuniting with Steven Gerrard. In 10 appearances for the Midlands club, he has scored four goals and laid on three assists – and Villa boast a £34million permanent clause.
SPORT report that Villa remain on pole position due to that clause, but if a move falls though – then Newcastle are ready and waiting with talks open. Arsenal and Everton are also said to be showing interest in Coutinho.
Villa beat Southampton 4-0 early on in March, scoring one and creating another from midfield. Shearer named him in his TOTW: “He continues to thrive under Gerrard; another goal and assist. Simply unplayable.”
Shearer on Coutinho: Newcastle would be pulling off a real coup
There is a real chance that Villa sign Coutinho this summer permanently. But there is also a real chance that Villa choose against signing him – his wages are enormous, his fee is large, and he turns 30 in the summer.
They would be silly to look at those details and make a business decision, over a footballing decision. But it is one that could occur and Newcastle have got to take advantage if Villa do not bring him in.
Newcastle have the finances, they have the project. They also boast a Brazil teammate in Bruno Guimaraes and ex-Liverpool teammates Javi Manquillo and Jonjo Shelvey – a sense of familiarity.
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