Philippe Coutinho set for Santos debut after Neymar urged him to return | OneFootball

Philippe Coutinho is set to make his Santos debut on Friday against São Paulo at Morumbis, the club’s fifth and final signing of this window after seven months without a game.

According to Globo.com, the number 11 chose to resume his career after repeated encouragement from Neymar, whose appeal the club backed amid belief the 34-year-old still has plenty to give.

Coutinho has agreed a short-term deal until December, leaving him available for the final 11 fixtures of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

Executive director Alexandre Mattos said the priority is for Coutinho to enjoy his football again, adding that matches alongside his friend could help both the team and the player rediscover form.

Mattos linked any extension to the player’s happiness, drawing a parallel with Neymar’s own return from injury at the club, and suggested Coutinho could stay beyond this year if things go well.

Santos are pushing for a Conmebol Libertadores place. Victory would move Cuca’s side to 41 points and up to seventh, five behind Bahia, who currently occupy the preliminary round berth.

With Rodinei, Arthur, Lima and Everton Cebolinha also added and after a Copa Sudamericana quarter-final exit, the club believes the squad can compete towards the top end of the table.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”