Spanish newspaper Sport claim Newcastle are leading the race to sign on-loan Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho if Steven Gerrard’s side choose not to sign him for £34m. Arsenal and Everton are also lurking.
Coutinho, 29, has been sensational for Aston Villa since joining the club on a loan-to-buy deal from Barcelona. He has four goals and three assists in 10 games and is happy, working under his old Liverpool teammate Gerrard.
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But it remains to be seen if Villa will sign him permanently – especially given his huge Barcelona wages. The race is hotting up and Newcastle have opened talks, ready to land Coutinho if Villa choose to ignore a deal.
Arsenal and Everton are also said to be lurking over a potential move for Coutinho – even though the latter have signed Dele Alli and teeter on the brink of potential relegation to the Championship under Frank Lampard.
Coutinho to Newcastle: Villa have got to strike a permanent deal
Aston Villa simply have to sign Coutinho permanently. Yes, his wages are huge and he will enter his thirties in June, but he is a player that can turn Villa from mid-table, into a challenger for the European places.
If Villa choose not to spend big on the Brazilian, then there will be plenty of other suitors. Everton have next-to-no chance of getting him, given his Liverpool past. Arsenal have a superb chance, if they get top four.
Newcastle will be able to afford him and might be able to convince Barcelona to only accept their offer, to rule out opponents with a higher bid. But Villa are shooting themselves in the foot if they do not sign him.
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