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Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images
Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images

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Some rival fans react to reports Newcastle want their player, Benitez said he ‘had everything’

Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte

With Newcastle United on the verge of a takeover, the Magpies have been linked with several high-profile players and coaches amid the prospect of St James’ Park having a huge budget going forward.

One such player said to be on Newcastle’s radar is Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho, with Brazilian outlet claiming the Selecao star is the Magpies’ “dream signing”, as their prospective new owners look for marquee acquisition.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Coutinho is undoubtedly a high-calibre player but is on a season-long loan at Bayern Munich, having struggled to impress at the Camp Nou since joining Barca from Liverpool for £130million in January 2018.

Bayern are not expected to make the Brazilian’s switch permanent this summer, according to , which could leave the 27-year-old possibly looking for pastures new – which is where Newcastle could make their move.

Former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez waxed lyrical about Coutinho – who he coached at Inter Milan – in 2018, being quoted by as saying: “He had an excellent pass, shot… he had everything, despite his young age, and a wide margin for improvement.”

However, he doesn’t appear to be quite as highly rated amongst Barcelona fans, who didn’t seem too dismayed at the prospect of Newcastle wanting their player: