The Catalan media have again fully mobilised against Philippe Coutinho, with the plan seemingly to force the Brazilian out of the club in the next market.
There’s already been multiple reports linking Newcastle United, after the Magpies were bought by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Barcelona have long looked towards the Premier League to find a new home for Coutinho, and with Newcastle now having the funds, and presumably also the ambition, to go for expensive signings, Eddie Howe’s new side have become an obvious option.
After multiple claims that Barcelona are hoping Newcastle make a move for the player in January, there’s now a story which worsens his situation at the Camp Nou.
TV3 report, via Sport, that multiple Barca players are annoyed with Coutinho’s attitude, and that came to a head at the weekend. After Ansu Fati was injured against Celta Vigo, the former Liverpool player was asked to warm up, and wasn’t exactly in a hurry to do so.
It’s reported he said something along the lines of: “It is not necessary now, rest is coming.”
Alejandro Balde was then the man chosen to replace Fati, so Coutinho was right to expect it wouldn’t be him.
Sport say a squad ‘heavyweight’ had a word with Coutinho after the match, angry at his ‘attitude’ and words during the game. Several players are ‘fed up’ with their teammate, and ‘it’s not the first time’ he’s managed to annoy his Barcelona teammates.
