Philippe Coutinho is closing in on a return to the Premier League at Aston Villa, after Steven Gerrard’s side held ‘very advanced’ talks with Barcelona for the Brazilian’s January transfer.
That’s according to Sport, who report the Brazilian is keen to return to England four-years after leaving Liverpool. Additionally, Mundo Deportivo now name the Villans as the ‘best positioned’ club to sign the 29-year-old against widespread rival interest.
Aston Villa held prolonged negotiations with Barcelona on Wednesday in a bid to secure a loan transfer for Coutinho. Sport note the playmaker is keen to enjoy another shot in the English top-flight to revive his career. But none of the big six have so far made any offers.
Yet Coutinho does not consider joining Aston Villa a step down after years of struggling at Barcelona following his transfer. The £105m maestro instead feels Villa Park offers him a chance to reunite with his former Liverpool teammate, Gerrard, who he remains close to.
Gerrard’s presence in the Villans’ dugout is the decisive factor in Coutinho leaning toward a move to Birmingham this month. He is now ‘anxiously’ waiting for the clubs to agree terms.
Aston Villa ‘best positioned’ to seal Coutinho transfer with Barcelona
Mundo Deportivo, meanwhile, report Aston Villa lead the race for a transfer with Barcelona for the in-demand Coutinho. They also cite Gerrard’s presence as the main asset working in the Villans’ favour after playing 81 games together.
Aston Villa are also prepared to forgo any purchase clauses in a loan deal. But Coutinho’s close relationship with Gerrard may open the door for a permanent move in the summer.
Coutinho has given Barcelona permission to negotiate his temporary transfer as he wants to play regularly to regain a key role in the Brazil squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Tite left Coutinho an unused substitute in the Selecao’s November fixtures and he has not featured since October 2020. Quite the fall for a player once tipped as the future of Brazil.
“I think he’s a great character and a great player,” Everton forward Richarlison told Sky Sports in 2018. “He is the future of Brazil, he is also known as ‘the little magician’. He is incredible and I wish him all the best at Barcelona.”
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