Newcastle want to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer and are hoping to beat Aston Villa, Arsenal and Everton to the signing of the Barcelona midfielder.
Coutinho has starred since signing on loan for Aston Villa during the January transfer window, scoring four goals and providing three assists in nine Premier League starts.
The Brazilian’s return to form has alerted several Premier League rivals and Newcastle have made contact over a potential summer move, with Sport reporting that the Magpies are willing to offer the 29-year-old a £1m signing on fee to move to St James’ Park.
Newcastle had been interested in the winter window, but the club’s position in the Premier League’s relegation places saw Coutinho turn down their approach and reunite with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard at Villa Park.
Coutinho has since shone as an integral part of Gerrard’s side, flourishing amid a prominent role in the Premier League after a frustrating spell at the Camp Nou.
Villa retain an option to sign Coutinho on a permanent deal for €40m, but it remains to be seen whether the club sanction that deal and can reach an agreement with the Brazil international, with Barcelona currently paying a portion of his lucrative contract.
Interest from elsewhere, particularly from Newcastle, means Barcelona will not be open to a discount on that initial agreement and the Magpies are waiting to make their move.
Arsenal and Everton are also understood to be interested, with Barcelona keen to offload Coutinho in order to finance their summer recruitment.
