Barcelona attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho wants to move to Aston Villa and work under his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
Solhekol has reported on Sky Sports that Coutinho would be more than happy to play for Villa and Gerrard.
The Sky Sports reporter has added that Coutinho, who can also operate as a winger, feels that he could help the Villans push up the Premier League table and challenge for the European places.
Philippe Coutinho wants Aston Villa transfer?
Solhekol told Sky Sports: “Speaking to people on the player’s side of the deal, my feeling about this is that Philippe Coutinho would be interested in joining Aston Villa.
“He knows people at Aston Villa. He knows Steven Gerrard and Christian Purslow from his time at Liverpool. He feels Villa are an up-and-coming club. Gerrard, Purslow and the owners have big plans for the club.
“He also knows the king of quality in the Villa squad, players like Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia and Emi Martinez, and he feels if he was playing at Villa regularly, he could help them get up the table and into Europe.
“So, I think that is definitely on the cards and as far as Aston Villa are concerned, of course, they are not giving anything away. They are not commenting at all because as far as they are concerned, he’s a Barcelona player.
“From the player’s perspective, I understand Coutinho would be more than happy to play for Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard.”
Aston Villa transfer happening?
Based on Solhekol’s claim on Sky Sports, it does appear likely that Coutinho will become a Villa player soon.
There is speculation that Coutinho will join Villa on an 18-month loan deal.
In our view, that would be great business for the Villans.
Coutinho cost Barcelona £146 million in transfer fees when they signed him from Liverpool (Sky Sports).
Now, Villa may have to pay a loan fee to Barcelona and will have to cover his wages, but there no way that Coutinho will cost them anywhere near £146 million.
Yes, Coutinho did not have the best of times at Barcelona, but at the age of 29, he is still at the top of his game.
And, in our opinion, Gerrard will know how to get the best out of his former Liverpool teammate.
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