MAURICIO POCHETTINO wants Newcastle to sign Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho if he is to take charge of the Toon, according to reports.
The Magpies’ hotly-anticipated £300million takeover by a Saudi-led consortium could herald a major spending spree and the ex-Tottenham boss’ arrival.
Coutinho could become a statement signing if Poch gets his wish
Many clubs may need to sell players due to the coronavirus crisis but Newcastle’s ability to splash the cash might even be boosted amid the pandemic and football’s shutdown.
However Barcelona are expected to still put up a fight before relinquishing Coutinho on the cheap.
Mundo Deportivo report on Pochettino directing the Premier League club to sign the Brazilian as part of his overhaul of the squad.
The 48-year-old managed Coutinho during a loan spell at Espanyol over eight years ago and was left angered by Tottenham’s failure to bring him to North London last summer.
A fee of £87million is named by the Spanish newspaper although reports on Barcelona’s price tag vary considerably – Marca stating that the Catalans want £69m.
One thing appears certain and that is Bayern Munich’s decision not to make Coutinho’s loan stint at the Bundesliga giants permanent, having pre-agreed a £105m purchase with Barcelona.
Blaugrana boss Quique Setien is said to be open to keeping the attacking midfielder at the Camp Nou for next season although that too comes at a cost – namely the £17m add-on owed to Liverpool if he makes 24 more appearances for the LaLiga club.
Added onto that is the £190,000-a-week wages Coutinho is understood to earn in Catalonia.
Exactly how Pochettino chooses to spend Newcastle’s newfound riches is subject to much speculation.
L’Equipe detail serious talks between the coach and club about taking over from Steve Bruce – and name Ligue 1 as one potentially cash-strapped area he could seek new signings.
As well as a beefed up playing staff, the Magpies are described as planning a complete revamp of their transfer and academy systems.
Sam Allardyce says Newcastle takeover is going to be ‘very difficult’ for Steve Bruce and compares the situation to his own sacking by new owner Mike Ashley in 2008
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
