Philippe Coutinho is on loan at Bayern Munich (Getty Images)
According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Daily Mirror), Barcelona misfit Philippe Coutinho has been credited with a move to Newcastle United.
Barcelona playmaker Coutinho has failed to reach the heights expected of him since his big-money move to Camp Nou from former side Liverpool in 2018. This had seen the 27-year-old attacking midfielder spend this season on loan at Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich.
However, with Bayern unwilling to pay Barcelona’s £110million asking price for Coutinho’s permanent switch, the Catalans are now in search of potential suitors for the Brazilian.
The Magpies have endured a difficult season this term, lying a disappointing 13th in the league table. Lack of a consistent goal-scorer and creativity in the attack have hurt Steve Bruce’s side badly.
Newcastle have managed a mere 25 goals this season from 29 league matches, raising serious concerns about the side’s lack of attacking talents. This is lowest by any side in the Premier League. Only bottom-placers Norwich City have scored the same number of goals, giving signs that this may affect them in the longer run.
Joelinton, who joined them in the summer has been an utter flop, scoring just once despite featuring in all their league games. Lack of creativity in the middle has also been another reason for the side’s dismal show this term. Newcastle have struggled for goals, with the side’s set of attacking midfielders failing to impress.
Bruce just has two attacking midfielders in his side – Miguel Almiron and Henri Saivet. Almiron, who joined Newcastle in January 2019 after an impressive spell with MLS side Atlanta United, is yet to hit form in England.
He has scored just two goals and provided one assist in the league until now. Saivet, meanwhile, arrived last summer from Turkish outfit Bursaspor. However, he has not yet featured in a single match, giving clear indications that he is not in manager Bruce’s plans.
With the side struggling for goals up front, making a major signing like Coutinho could turn the tide in Newcastle’s favour. Despite Bayern’s unwillingness to buy him, the Brazilian has scored 9 goals and given 8 assists from 32 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit.
A former Liverpool man, England is where Coutinho played his finest football. In his 201 appearances for the Reds, he found the back of the net 54 times and gave 45 assists.
Hence, a creative midfielder like Coutinho could finally be the answer to Newcastle United’s attacking woes.
Despite Barcelona’s snub, Coutinho has always impressed when given a chance. Even this season, he was amongst the goals for Bayern. Also, it would not take Coutinho much time to adjust to the surroundings at St. James Park, having excelled in the Premier League before with Liverpool.
