According to SPORT, Barcelona have now offered Philippe Coutinho to Ralf Rangnick and Manchester United, amid interest from Newcastle.
What’s the story?
Well, it was a separate report from SPORT back in August which revealed that Newcastle wanted to bring Coutinho back to the Premier League.
The £146m man has endured a miserable time at Barcelona since his move from Liverpool, and due to the Spanish side’s financial issues, they’re now trying to offload him.
In an attempt to do so, Manchester United – and also Manchester City – have been offered the chance to sign the Brazil international.
SPORT add that Barcelona are keen to sign one of Raheem Sterling or Ferran Torres from Manchester City.
Xavi also has his eye on Edinson Cavani or Anthony Martial at Manchester United, hence why Coutinho is being offered as a bargaining chip.
Bad news for Newcastle as Ralf Rangnick and Manchester United could benefit
In our view, Pep Guardiola isn’t going to sacrifice Sterling or Torres for Coutinho, especially after spending £100m on a similar player in Jack Grealish.
However, Martial is not as important to Manchester United as Sterling and Torres are to the Citizens, so that could be a deal which interests Ralf Rangnick.
Now, this situation is bad news for Newcastle and Eddie Howe.
Look at it this way.
Would Coutinho join the Magpies while they’re in serious danger of relegation, when both Manchester clubs are potential destinations? We highly doubt it.
Of course, money talks, and Newcastle now have lots of it.
However, a fresh start at Old Trafford, under a manager in Rangnick who plays a style which suits him, should be hugely appealing to Coutinho.
In our view, Newcastle look likely to lose out to the Red Devils.
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