Newcastle United target Philippe Coutinho has held conversations with Bayern Munich about staying with them, according to his agent Kia Joorabchian’s comments to Sky Sports.
The Daily Express claims that Newcastle want to land Coutinho, who Barcelona are keen to offload this summer.
But it seems that Newcastle could be set to be disappointed, as Bayern Munich still have not decided whether to keep the Brazilian or not.
Coutinho has spent the last year on loan at Bayern, but it was widely expected that he would leave the Bundesliga club at the end of the term.
Coutinho has only had a limited impact in Germany, with his game-time limited.
However, Joorabchian suggests that £80 million star (Express) could yet spend another season at Bayern, which could scupper Newcastle’s transfer plans.
“It’s up to Bayern Munich whether or not they want to extend the loan,” the agent said.
“It’s purely Bayern’s decision, we have a will to stay, and we will see about next season when we get back to this ‘new’ normal.
“We’ve had some conversations with Bayern about next season [already].”
Joorabchian’s comments act as bad news for Newcastle, as they further complicate any potential deal for Coutinho.
The Express claim that the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal are already looking to battle Newcastle for Coutinho, and with Bayern also potentially in the queue for his signature again, it seems that the Magpies face a real fight to get hold of the playmaker.
Coutinho would really add quality and creativity to Newcastle’s team, but persuading him to move to St. James’ Park could be difficult now.
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