Super-agent Kia Joorabchian wants to help Philippe Coutinho secure a transfer away from Aston Villa in January. Corinthians are also now very optimistic about his potential signing.
That is according to Globo Esporte, which reports Coutinho is willing to join Corinthians in the upcoming mid-season market. But negotiations between the Brazilian outfit and Aston Villa are not likely to be easy. Yet Joorabchian is intent on helping on the side of the Timao.
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Joorabchian has made agreeing a deal for Coutinho to join Corinthians his intention ahead of the winter sales. The Iranian already has close ties with the Timao as he helped facilitate Willian’s move to the Neo Quimica Arena in 2021 after terminating his contract at Arsenal.
Joorabchian has close ties to Corinthians as they eye Coutinho’s transfer
Corinthians also employed Vitor Pereira as their head coach with Joorabchian’s support in February. Yet the 54-year-old has already left the Timao ahead of the 2023 season. But the Portuguese has stayed in Brazil as Flamengo announced an agreement earlier this month.
Willian also left Corinthians in August before returning to the Premier League with Fulham. So, the Timao will hope to get more than one season out of Coutinho if Joorabchian forces his move from Aston Villa. The Brazilian side is also hopeful no rival offers emerge for Villa.
Corinthians sense their chances of signing Coutinho from Aston Villa will increase after the winter transfer window closes in Europe. But for that, the Timao need him to remain with the Villans through January. They will also want Aston Villa to pay a large part of his salary.
Aston Villa pay Coutinho £125k-a-week, which is three times more than the highest wages at Corinthians. The Timao want the midfielder to understand they will not breach their pay structure for his transfer. So, the Villans would have to adjust his terms to finalise a move.
Aston Villa are willing to let Coutinho leave less than a year after he joined
Aston Villa are not opposed to Coutinho leaving during the January transfer window amid interest from Corinthians. Coluna do Fla reported at the end of November that Unai Emery will not stand in the 30-year-old’s way. But he will only sanction a deal if it is not on loan.
Coutinho has hardly justified the £17m that Steven Gerrard paid Barcelona to sign the 69-cap Brazil international in May. After joining on loan in January with a £33m option to buy, the midfielder hit five goals and created three in 19 Premier League games for the Villans.
Yet after 12 appearances this season, Coutinho is yet to score or lay on an assist. So, if his new boss in Emery is not as affectionate towards the Brazilian as Gerrard – who called him ‘world-class’ – Joorabchian could soon help Corinthians secure a transfer from Aston Villa.
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