Rafael Benitez speaks to Spanish newspaper, gives public backing to January transfer

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has been speaking to Mundo Deportivo about the big Coutinho transfer.

The Brazilian moved to Barcelona from Liverpool over the weekend, and with Newcastle’s manager having worked with Coutinho at Inter Milan, the Spanish newspaper looked to get some insight.

Benitez told Mundo Deportivo that it was clear at Inter Milan Coutinho ‘had everything to succeed’ and could go on to be a big success in European football. Whilst that didn’t happen in Milan, with Inter surely still kicking themselves for selling him to Liverpool so cheaply, Benitez insists it was clear the talent was there.

The Newcastle United boss explained: “He had everything despite his youth, and a wide margin for improvement… We were struck by the great vision he had to give the last pass, the final one. Something very important in football. It was very complete.”

Barcelona have broken the record for a January transfer, and whilst Newcastle United fans know any spending at St James’ Park will be on a much smaller scale, they’ll be hoping Benitez is admiring his own transfer business soon.