The Catalan media have regularly discussed Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho moving to the Premier League, after completing his loan spell at Bayern Munich.
France Football have echoed those claims as they state the 27-year-old’s ‘priority’ is to return to England this summer.
Newcastle United ‘could win the bet’ to acquire the Brazil international’s services, despite the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton chasing him.
The Magpies are in the process of being taken over by a Saudi backed consortium.
According to the report, the takeover deal is currently on hold after Hatice Cengiz, the fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, raised concerns over the involvement of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund with the English side.
Despite these concerns, France Football state negotiations have already started between the ex-Liverpool man’s camp and the Tyneside club.
It’s claimed that Coutinho’s ‘clan tilts’ towards Steve Bruce’s side. That’s because the player’s entourage ‘believe very strongly’ in the new project at St James’ Park and the Barca owned player is open to the idea of being part of it.
France Football also make it clear that ‘everything will obviously depend’ on the takeover of the club by the Saudi’s, meaning the South American may not move to Newcastle if there is no change of ownership.
