Newcastle Join Everton in Race for 'Flagship' Philippe Coutinho Signature

Newcastle are the latest club to be linked with a move for Philippe Coutinho in the summer, in an ambitious bid to bring to Barcelona midfielder back to Premier League.


Having forced through a switch from Liverpool to the Camp Nou in 2018, Coutinho's time at Barcelona has not gone quite to plan.


The Brazilian international was shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich for the 2019/20 campaign, and will likely be sold in the summer.


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Coutinho has been linked with a return to the Premier League, and 90min revealed last week that Liverpool still have first refusal on their former player, while Everton are among the clubs to have been offered the chance to bring the Brazilian in.


However, the Reds are not overly keen on spending big in the summer, with Timo Werner their primary target in a cut-price deal.


Chelsea and Tottenham have already been linked with a move for the 27-year-old, and according to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Newcastle and Everton want to sign Coutinho as the 'flagship of their new projects'.


Newcastle are currently in the midst of a proposed £300m takeover bid from Saudi Arabian consortium Public Investment Fund (PIF), led by businesswoman and Magpies fan Amanda Staveley.


The takeover is hinging on whether those involved will pass the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test.


The ambition of the potential new owners has already been made clear, with the club reportedly drawing up a shortlist of big name managers as an upgrade on current boss Steve Bruce.


FC Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League

For Everton meanwhile, next season will be the club's first full season under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti.


The report states that both clubs have owners 'willing to bet heavily and invest a lot of money. The intention of both the Magpies and Everton is to sign several 'top' players.'


Barcelona are likely to be forced to accept far less than the €140m they paid Liverpool for Coutinho, as they seek to free up funds for moves for Neymar and Lautaro Martinez.



Source : 90min