---
title: "Newcastle: Philippe Coutinho wants to stay put in January"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-philippe-coutinho-wants-to-stay-put-in-january/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-12-06T12:45:53Z"
modified: "2021-12-06T12:46:14Z"
---

# Newcastle: Philippe Coutinho wants to stay put in January

**Newcastle United have been sent a clear message by Philippe Coutinho’s entourage ahead of the transfer window.**

### The lowdown: Record breaker

Coutinho still holds the record for the biggest transfer involving a Premier League club, having left Liverpool to join Barcelona in January 2018 for a fee of [£121.5million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/transferrekorde/wettbewerb/GB1).

He’s [started five La Liga matches](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/80767/Show/Philippe-Coutinho) so far this season, making a further six substitute appearances. The 29-year-old has scored two goals from 22 shots and also recorded 16 shot-creating actions (via [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/0ef89a37/Philippe-Coutinho)).

Coutinho is under contract until June 2023 and is valued at £18million by [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/profil/spieler/80444). His [£380,000-per-week salary](https://salarysport.com/football/la-liga/barcelona/) makes him the highest earner at the Camp Nou.

New Barca manager Xavi adores the playmaker, saying Coutinho is a player he ‘likes personally’ and stressing that he possesses an ‘innate talent’ (via [ESPN](https://global.espn.com/football/barcelona-espbarcelona/story/4524815/barcelonas-xavi-philippe-coutinho-can-become-successful-if-he-rediscovers-confidence)).

### The latest: Fresh update emerges

Mundo Deportivo (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-entourage-send-clear-transfer-message-english-claims-newcastle-switch-questioned/)) have again named Newcastle in connection with Coutinho, perhaps unsurprising given his uninspiring time since leaving England and the Magpies’ new-found riches.

However, the position of the Brazilian’s camp ‘to this day’ is that ‘he will not move from Barca in January’.

### The verdict: Assist machine, but too risky

Coutinho has racked up a [series of honours](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/philippe-coutinho/erfolge/spieler/80444) in his career. He’s won the Champions League and Copa America, whilst at an individual level, he’s been named in the [PFA Team of the Year](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32472834) and even [led the way for assists](https://www.worldfootball.net/assists/wm-2018-in-russland/) at a World Cup.

But according to Xavi, he’s now facing [‘psychological’](https://global.espn.com/football/barcelona-espbarcelona/story/4524815/barcelonas-xavi-philippe-coutinho-can-become-successful-if-he-rediscovers-confidence) obstacles, preventing him from demonstrating that ‘innate talent’.

When you also consider his eye-watering salary, perhaps it would ultimately be for the best if Newcastle missed out on signing him, as signing a hugely costly player who is down on his luck and confidence would be an incredibly risky first marquee signing of the new era.

**In other news, [Newcastle have offered a record deal to this big-six ace](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/jesse-lingard-man-utd-premier-league-2/).**