On December 20th, Mundo Deportivo reported that Philippe Coutinho’s agents ‘manage the interest’ of Everton and Newcastle United.
The 29-year-old is currently the highest paid player at Barcelona and the latter want to get rid of him in the winter market to lower their wage bill. He is also not included in Xavi Hernández’s key plans for this season.
Sport on Tuesday explain the La Liga side ‘launched an SOS message’ to the Brazilian and his agents a few days ago. That’s because they can only bring in new players next month if Coutinho moves elsewhere.
Kia Joorabchian and Giuliano Bertolucci are the two men who take care of the attacking midfielder’s interest, and they have been in constant contact with Mateu Alemany, the Spanish club’s sporting director.
The agents of the former Liverpool star have ‘finally realised the seriousness’ of the situation at the Camp Nou and Barca’s ‘imperative need’ to let their client leave, even if it is on a loan, with or without a redemption option.
It’s claimed the Catalan club are ‘going to put all the facilities in the world’ to let Coutinho leave the club in January as their priority is to save half of his salary.
When talking about suitors, both the Tyneside club and Everton are mentioned. Sport say ‘everyone is talking about Newcastle’, but the Magpies don’t make the South American happy.
The Toffees, on the other hand, are ‘working’, presumably to sign him, since they need a 
creative player in the offensive department. There is time and ‘a lot of predisposition between all parties to reach an agreement’.
A deal isn’t easy because of the need to make ‘very high’ investments. However, everyone, at least at Barca, are clear that Coutinho could do well elsewhere.
Coutinho not wanting Newcastle would give Everton encouragement in the chase to acquire his services. Barca, meanwhile, believe the player’s ‘departure is now possible’ because of interest from the Premier League.
