Report: Newcastle make contact with Barcelona over Philippe Coutinho

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United have made contact with Barcelona regarding Philippe Coutinho and will make their move if Aston Villa do not end up keeping the Brazilian, according to a report from Sport.

Coutinho has proved to be an inspired signing for the Villans. He has scored four goals and contributed three assists for Steven Gerrard’s side.

Villa have the option to keep Coutinho permanently, but he will cost £33.8 million. His wages however, may prove to be the biggest stumbling block, with the 29-year-old earning £480,000-a-week at the Nou Camp.

Unsurprisingly, clubs are lurking should the Villans be unable to keep Coutinho. Sport reports that Arsenal and Everton are both interested in the attacking midfielder.

However, Newcastle look to have stolen a march on their rivals in the battle for Coutinho. Sport reports that they have in fact made contact with Barcelona.

Coutinho could be a smart marquee signing for Newcastle this summer

Newcastle are not planning to spend a huge amount this summer. Reports have claimed that they are planning to spend less than £90 million.

So they will be on the lookout for the kind of marquee signings that allow for Eddie Howe to also invest in other areas.

Spending £33.8 million on Coutinho would allow Newcastle to make many more signings.

He has proved himself once again in the Premier League. He is clearly able to reach another level in England, being labelled ‘a superstar‘. And it is no surprise that so many top-flight sides hope to sign him from Barcelona.

It would be a bit of a shock if Villa were unwilling to trigger the clause to keep him next season. However, they will need Coutinho to compromise on the wages.

Newcastle surely would as well. But perhaps they may be prepared to offer more lucrative terms.

And if they can make a number of other exciting signings, perhaps Coutinho will be tempted to join Newcastle ahead of their first full season under their new owners.