Inter Land Brazilian Wunderkind

Vasco da Gama prodigy Philippe Coutinho Correia has been landed by Internazionale, according to the Brazilian club's president...

Jul 22, 2008 5:25:53 PM

Coutinho - Vasco da Gama

Teams

The 16-year-old, better known simply as 'Coutinho', signs on at the San Siro for a fee said to be in the region of €10m.

The attacking midfielder is one of the most-discussed youngsters in Brazilian footballing circles, and despite having made just a handful of first team appearances he was previously tracked by Real Madrid.

Club president Roberto Dinamita told Radio Bandeirantes today, however, that the Spanish side's interest was moot after Inter paid 10 million Brazilian reals for Coutinho's services.

However as part of the deal the youngster will remain at Vasco until the end of the 2008-09 season at least in order to home his skills.

Dinamita said, "We have decided to sell him to Inter, in part due to our reaching an agreement with the Italian club to allow us to retain him until he reaches the age of majority.

"We have a young team with plenty of marvellous talents, but it's necessary to keep a climate of confidence and patience to allow them to mature."

A compilation of goals from Coutinho: