In April 2020, Newcastle United were linked with a sensational move for Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho.
15 months later and the Catalan giants are reportedly desperate to sell the Brazilian.
But there are no links with Newcastle this summer, who remain a club desperate for a takeover.
As for Barcelona, they’re desperate themselves. They need money, and they need it fast.
As it stands, Barca are unable to register their new players because they have already exceeded La Liga’s wage cap. They have brought in Memphis Depay, Emerson, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia, but, unless something changes, they won’t be able to play.
The other issue surrounds Lionel Messi. Barcelona are looking to extend his contract, after the best in the world became a free agent on July 1st.
But with their financial problems, they currently can’t afford it.
Now Barcelona are desperately trying to get rid of players to reduce their wage bill.
And this is why they wanted a European Super League.
But what has all this got to do with Newcastle United?
No mention of Philippe Coutinho leaving Barcelona for the north east this summer
The summer of 2020 was a wild time for Toon fans.
The club was seemingly on the brink of an incredible takeover that threatened to take the Magpies to financial heights that were out of this world.
They were to be backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, whose wealth could guide Newcastle to the top of the game.
Amazing players and managers were being linked left, right and centre. The rumour mill was going absolutely crazy.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Newcastle were named in the conversation as Premier League clubs battled to sign Coutinho.
While you could argue the reliability of the story, the fact that Newcastle were involved in such paper talk was shocking enough.
Now it’s the summer of 2021, and while the takeover talk still dominates St James’ Park, there are no superstar names being mentioned in the papers.
The ludicrous rumours have stopped. But the potential PCP Capital Partners takeover of Newcastle is still a possibility.
Mike Ashley has taken legal action against the Premier League. Amanda Staveley has called for transparency. The government have been asked to get involved.
While April last year was a time for Toon fans to dream, with the likes of Coutinho being linked, July 2021 is a time of desperation.
Barcelona desperately need to sell players like Coutinho. Newcastle desperately need a conclusion to the takeover saga.
But there is no chance of Coutinho and Newcastle crossing paths this summer.
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