Philippe Coutinho has found it hard to enjoy playing time at Barcelona after Xavi Hernández was appointed as their new manager in November.
Repeated claims have stated neither the coach nor the La Liga side want the 29-year-old at the club beyond this month, mainly due to his high wages. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been regularly named as potential suitors.
Mundo Deportivo now have a report, titled: ‘Coutinho could leave Barça soon’. Xavi’s side have already signed Ferran Torres from Manchester City, but they need to lower their wage bill in order to register the Spain international.
It’s claimed the ex-Liverpool star is ‘receiving offers’, but he prioritises the sporting project. The north London club get a mention and Mundo say that ‘between Tottenham and Newcastle United’, Coutinho ‘would choose Spurs’.
A clear message has been sent to the South American that he will not be relied upon by Xavi and therefore, ‘end up thinking about leaving’ Barcelona in January. Coutinho needs to leave the Blaugrana so that he can retain the hope of going to the Qatar World Cup with Brazil.
Strangely, there’s another report floating around in Spain which claims Coutinho would choose Arsenal over Newcastle, with Spurs not mentioned.
