Barcelona must get rid some of their fringe players in order to lower their wage bill and also to bring new faces to the club in the winter market.
As a part of the ‘winter emergency plan’, the La Liga side are keen to cut ties with Philippe Coutinho and Samuel Umtiti.
Last weekend, Mundo Deportivo reported the attacking midfielder ‘could stop at Newcastle United’ next month since he wants to enjoy more minutes in the second half of the season, to improve his chances of making it to the 2022 World Cup with Brazil.
Today’s edition of the same newspaper explains Coutinho’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, had a ‘brief casual meeting’ with Barcelona officials a few days ago.
The two parties agreed to meet again next week to discuss the former Liverpool star’s situation ‘more calmly’. A transfer summit is set to take place ‘before Christmas’.
Manchester United and Manchester City were named as possible destinations, but both clubs have no interest in signing Coutinho because they already have players with a profile similar to that of the South American.
The Magpies get a mention and Mundo states at the moment, for the player, Newcastle are ‘not represented as an option among the preferences’.
Coutinho’s current stance means Eddie Howe’s side will need to be more convincing if they want to bring the 29-year-old to St James’ Park in January.
