Newcastle United are linked to Philippe Coutinho by both Catalan sport newspapers on Thursday.
Mundo Deportivo explained the Magpies will be ready to welcome the Brazilian with open arms, regardless of whether Rafael Benitez or Mauricio Pochettino is their new manager.
Over at Sport, they talk about claims from Italy of Serie A interest, and then reiterate that it’s a move to the Premier League which is most wanted by the player and his representatives.
When it comes to English interest, Sport state it’s Newcastle who have ‘moved the most’ for the signing, although they don’t explain any concrete steps which have been taken at this stage.
Given the club’s new ownership has yet to be given full approval, the Catalan newspaper states that things have been dragging on, and that could be an issue for Barcelona.
Sport believe Barcelona are looking for €90m, whereas Mundo Deportivo say €100m. In reality, neither figure is likely this summer, and a loan move may have to be considered.
There’s also the suggestion Coutinho could return to Inter Milan as part of the deal for Lautaro Martinez to move to Barca, yet despite claims he’d fancy going back to Italy, it surely has to be questionable given his difficult spell there last time.
