Santos in talks to sign Philippe Coutinho with Neymar backing | OneFootball

According to Diario Do Peixe, Santos are in talks to sign free agent Philippe Coutinho, with Neymar Jr among those backing the move.

Despite Neymar's support, the board is proceeding cautiously, seeking a deal within the club's means amid doubts over the midfielder's fitness. Coutinho has been unattached since terminating his contract with Vasco in February.

With the transfer window closing on Friday 11, any agreement would depend on salaries and signing-on terms with Coutinho and his representatives, as no fee to another club is required.

Rio-born Coutinho, 34, came through Vasco's academy and was sold to Inter Milan at 16, featuring only briefly for Vasco in 2009 and 2010 before moving once he turned 18.

He had a loan spell at Espanyol in 2012 while contracted to Inter, then joined Liverpool where he stayed until 2018. Barcelona signed him, and he later had loans to Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.

Aston Villa then made the move permanent from 2022 to 2025, during which he also spent time on loan at Al-Duhail and Vasco. He returned to Vasco last season before parting ways at the start of this year, and he has caps for Brazil.

Source: Diario Do Peixe

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