La Liga giants Barcelona are reportedly ‘expecting’ Newcastle United to make a move for Philippe Coutinho.
Sport are reporting today that the Magpies are poised to swoop for the Brazilian, whom Barca want to move on.
They have tried to move him on in each of the last two summers.
Coutinho’s time at Barca has been very forgettable on the whole.
He has seriously underwhelmed following his huge transfer from Liverpool in January 2018, and even a loan spell at Bayern Munich couldn’t bring him back into form.
The club, according to Sport, Barca aren’t happy with his performances, but admire his professionalism.
Sport add that Barca want a definitive solution. They want him gone, but would also accept a loan with obligation to buy.
Apparently, Barca ‘expect’ Newcastle to come calling for the playmaker.
Barcelona’s interim manager Sergi Barjuan has named Coutinho on the bench twice so far, and the feeling is that Ronald Koeman’s sacking could well be the end for him.
Newcastle should avoid Coutinho
Barca expect Newcastle to move for Coutinho, but the Magpies should probably steer clear of the 29-year-old.
He would just be a risk for the Magpies. His form really has been poor since he left Liverpool.
Newcastle are in a dire situation at the moment. And the lack of clarity on the new manager situation is not helping matters.
While a creative midfielder should be on the agenda, the new owners must ensure that the player that comes in is in a good moment.
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