Newcastle approach Barcelona for out-on-loan midfielder, ready to outbid Premier League rivals

Newcastle United have entered the fray to sign Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho in the summer transfer window, reports SPORT.

The 29-year-old playmaker is currently out on loan at Aston Villa, whom he joined during the January transfer window. He has been thriving at Villa Park under the tutelage of his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.

The Villans even have an option to make Coutinho’s transfer permanent at the end of the summer for a fee of €40 million, which they intend to exercise. However, the Brazilian international’s wages are likely to be a major problem for the Midlands club.

Aston Villa are paying only a percentage of Coutinho’s salary currently, with Barcelona bearing the rest of his wages. However, that would change once they sign him on a permanent basis, which could become an issue for the Midlands outfit.

Coutinho is believed to be happy at Villa, but might not be willing to take a massive pay cut in order to make the transfer permanent. At the same time, the report claims that the Premier League club could also have some issues paying the €40 million fee and may try to negotiate a lower fee.

That, however, would be unacceptable to Barcelona and this is where Newcastle United enter the picture. The Magpies had tried to sign Coutinho during the January transfer window, but the Brazilian had not entertained their proposal as they were embroiled in a relegation battle.

Things, though, have changed now, as Newcastle look set to retain their Premier League status. Backed by their new owners, the Tyneside outfit are planning a major splurge in the summer and want Coutinho as part of their project.

To that end, Newcastle have made contact with Barcelona, who are aware that the Magpies would be in a position to pay more for Coutinho than Villa. At the same time, Eddie Howe’s side would also be capable of paying the midfielder’s over-the-top salary as well.

The report adds that Newcastle would be willing to pay a big salary to the Barça loanee to convince him to join their project. However, they will have to wait and see if Aston Villa trigger their permanent purchase option before deciding what their next move is.

Coutinho is also on the radars of other Premier League clubs like Arsenal and Everton. But Newcastle have shown the most concrete interest in the Brazilian and have approached Barcelona.

The Catalans, for their part, are licking their lips as an unsaleable asset seems set to bring in a healthy cash flow in the summer. They now hope that a deal can be completed before June 30, irrespective of whether it is with Villa or Newcastle.