Report: Villa and Arsenal target Coutinho not interested in Newcastle move

Add as preferred source on Google

Aston Villa and Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Philippe Coutinho, with Mundo Deportivo reporting that the Brazilian does not want to join Newcastle United this summer.

Coutinho is attracting attention from a host of Premier League clubs this summer. It comes with the 29-year-old enjoying an amazing loan spell with the Villans. He has reestablished himself as a superstar.

He has been directly involved in seven goals for Steven Gerrard’s side. So it is no surprise that several teams are interested in signing Coutinho permanently this summer.

Reports claimed that Villa want to keep the playmaker and have the option to sign him for £33.8 million. Meanwhile, Arsenal and Newcastle are also in the running.

In fact, Newcastle have already made contact with Barca about a move. Mundo Deportivo reports that they would be able to offer him the same wages he earns at the Nou Camp. Remarkably, he is on £480,000-a-week.

However, Coutinho looks set to leave Newcastle disappointed. Mundo Deportivo reports that the former Liverpool man is not interested in joining Eddie Howe’s side.

It is claimed that he would rather take a big pay-cut and move somewhere he feels happier. It is not clear what reservations he has about a move to Tyneside. But obviously, Arsenal and Aston Villa sit higher in the table.

Good news for Aston Villa and Arsenal with Coutinho not keen on Newcastle move

Villa must be in pole position to sign Coutinho. Their owners are hardly struggling for cash. But clearly, Newcastle have the financial means to sign almost any player in the world.

So Villa and Arsenal may have feared Newcastle in the race for Coutinho. However, money is not going to decide his next move.

It will obviously still be a factor. But he is seemingly very keen to join the club who offer the right project.

Right now, it looks to be an exciting time to join either Arsenal and Villa.

But the opportunity may have come around a little too soon for Newcastle.