Mauricio Pochettino identifies Philippe Coutinho as prime transfer target should he replace Steve Bruce as Newcastle boss once takeover goes through

Mauricio Pochettino will reportedly make Philippe Coutinho a prime transfer target should he be appointed manager of Newcastle after their takeover is completed.

Current Magpies boss Steve Bruce is not expected to last long once a £300m deal, backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, goes through.

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Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona has not been the dream he’d hoped – and he could be on his way back to the Premier League soon

Reports claim the incoming owners have already identified Pochettino as the first-choice candidate to lead the club into a new era, while former boss Rafael Benitez has also been tipped to return.

The takeover has seen a host of talented stars from across Europe linked with a move to St James’ Park.

And according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Pochettino is set to make a swoop for Coutinho if he is handed the job, having been scuppered in his attempts to land the Brazilian by chairman Daniel Levy during his time at Tottenham.

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Mauricio Pochettino reportedly tried to sign Coutinho during his time at Tottenham but was rebuffed by Daniel Levy

Ally McCoist on Newcastle takeover

The report states: “Pochettino already tried last summer to sign Coutinho for Tottenham and if he did not succeed it was because of President Levy’s irreparable enmity with the Brazilian’s agent.

“Now, without personal issues involved, Coutinho could reach a club for which, in recent months, [Antoine] Griezmann has also sounded.”

Coutinho, who has spent the season on loan with Bayern Munich, has struggled at Barcelona since his big-money move from Liverpool in 2018.

The playmaker has scored 13 goals in 52 league appearances at Camp Nou since his £142m switch from Anfield.

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Meanwhile, former Newcastle ace Temuri Ketsbaia has warned the club’s prospective new owners they may have to pay DOUBLE to sign superstar players.

He told The Sun: “It’s much easier for a club from London.

“If you want the best players, sure they want to earn the big money, but they want to live in London.

“If you want to bring a player to Newcastle, you maybe have to pay him double for his signature.

“This is what the new owners will face. But if you’ve got the money, why not? Sure they could challenge again for the title.”

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