Today's FPL Gossip: Summer moves for Coutinho and Haaland

FPL Gossip

Newcastle could pip Villa to permanent Coutinho deal

According to Sport – the daily Spanish newspaper based in Barcelona – Newcastle are willing to step in for Philippe Coutinho should Aston Villa not activate the £40m option to make his loan move permanent.

The Catalan side are still paying part of his huge wage but will not continue this when he leaves.

Eddie Howe’s side are likely able to offer a higher salary but Coutinho’s priority seems to be Villa Park.

Rejuvenated under Steven Gerrard, the playmaker made his return to English football in Gameweek 22 and has already found time to rise £0.5m in price. However, he dropped back down to £7.4m overnight. Four goals and three FPL assists quickly arrived but his blank in Gameweek 33 has led to sales. Yet their fixture run improves from Gameweek 35 and that’s before Burnley (H) and Liverpool (H) get added.

Man City ‘optimistic’ of sealing Haaland capture

Sources have told ESPN that Man City are confident of beating Real Madrid to the summer signing of elite forward Erling Haaland. Having lost Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres without securing a replacement, Pep Guardiola’s champions have still put themselves in pole position.

Indeed, it’s believed that the lure of working with Guardiola can convince Haaland to move to England. The Dortmund talisman has a personal connection to the club, as father Alfie played there between 2000 and 2003.

From an FPL perspective, it’s scary to imagine what adding a world-class striker will do to this team. With Romelu Lukaku having a poor season, perhaps the game needs another premium forward. Alongside Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, the addition of Haaland would add variety amongst teams.