Newcastle set aside budget for 'marquee signing' this summer

Newcastle United have ‘a budget set aside for a marquee signing’ amid reported interest in Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Magpies became the richest football club in the world following their Saudi-backed takeover last year and are expected to be active in the transfer market over the summer.

Coutinho became one of the most expensive players on the planet when he joined Catalan giants Barcelona in a £142 million deal back in January 2018 following a successful five-year stint with Liverpool.

However, things did not go to plan for the Brazil international following his big-money move to Camp Nou.

A relatively successful loan spell at Bayern Munich throughout 2019/20 failed to reignite Coutinho’s Barca career, and he was allowed to join Aston Villa in the January transfer window.

The Midlands outfit secured the 29-year-old’s services on a six-month loan deal that included the option to make his stay permanent for £33 million.

Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid! Full reaction on The Football Terrace…

And despite a fast start to life at Villa Park, manager Steven Gerrard has admitted that tying Coutinho to the club on a long-term basis in ‘not as straightforward as people think’.

Spanish outlet Sport have also recently claimed that Newcastle are set to rival the Villan’s for the playmakers signature and are willing to offer a £1m signing on fee to sweeten the deal.

Although Jones admitted it’s ‘very hard to see’ Coutinho playing elsewhere in the Premier League, he revealed that Newcastle have funds in reserve to attract a star name to St. James’ Park.

He told GiveMeSport: “It’s very hard to see him anywhere else in the Premier League right now, but Newcastle have a budget