Coutinho set to join Neymar at Santos after agreement reached

Former Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho is close to returning to football with Santos after agreeing a short-term deal with the Brazilian club, where he is expected to play alongside fellow Brazil international Neymar.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since ending his contract with Vasco da Gama in February. Spanish newspaper AS reports that Coutinho has now agreed to move to Santos, with the transfer expected to be completed once he passes a medical.

Neymar has played a direct role in the proposed move. The Santos forward reportedly asked the club’s board to sign his former Brazil team-mate and personally helped with part of the negotiations.

Brazilian reports also say that NR Sports, the company linked to Neymar’s family, was involved in the discussions that led to the agreement.

Coutinho is expected to sign a contract lasting until the end of the year. The deal would run for approximately three months, with both the player and Santos understood to have agreed that the arrangement was appropriate given his lack of competitive football since February.

His most recent appearance came for Vasco da Gama against Volta Redonda on 14 February. Coutinho subsequently left the club but has continued to train individually to maintain his fitness.

The midfielder returned to Vasco da Gama in July 2024 after spending 14 years playing in Europe. During that period, he represented Inter Milan, Espanyol, Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa, as well as spending time with Qatari club Al-Duhail.

Coutinho began his senior career at Vasco da Gama before moving to Europe and later establishing himself as an important player for Brazil. His proposed return to Santos would bring him together with Neymar, who has also been central to the club’s plans.

The transfer is not yet official and remains subject to Coutinho completing his medical examination and signing the contract.