Santos is negotiating to sign 34-year-old Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho. Peixe contacted Coutinho's staff, and they began talks with the team from São Paulo. Nothing has been finalized, but the coastal club is interested. Star Neymar, who has a very good relationship with Coutinho, is encouraging the talks to conclude successfully. The playmaker has been without a club since deciding to leave Vasco da Gama for personal reasons on February 18 of this year. He has not played in a match since February 14, when he played against Volta Redonda in the Campeonato Carioca. Despite his period of inactivity, Philippe has not officially retired and had been training on his own while waiting for offers. Because he is a free agent, Coutinho does not need to be signed by the upcoming Friday (11), when the transfer window in Brazil closes. The playmaker has 68 caps and 21 goals for Brazil, a current Transfermarkt market value of €2.50m, and has also been linked with Pumas UNAM.