- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Aston Villa sources have confirmed to HITC that the club are closing in on losing one of their midfielders this summer.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are embarking on an important transfer window with the club securing Champions League football in what was a monumental achievement for the Midlands club.
Departures will be just as important as incomings for the club this summer as they battle to stay within the PSR regulations.
It seems Villa are closing in on letting one forgotten midfielder go with HITC understanding that Philippe Coutinho is on the verge of leaving Villa Park this summer.
Coutinho on his way out
32-year-old Coutinho, who has failed to make a big impact in the Midlands, spent last season on loan at Qatari outfit Al Duhail – but he was due to return to Villa Park this summer with two-years left on his current deal.
The former Liverpool and Inter Milan midfielder has been looking to move back to Brazil as he embarks on the final years of his career.
To that end, HITC understands that personal terms are already agreed with his boyhood club Vasco da Gama – where he began his career.
Since moving to Villa Park under Steven Gerrard it has been a miserable time of things for the playmaker with Coutinho scoring just six Premier League goals during his three seasons at the club.
Coutinho willing to take loss to secure move
Coutinho’s wages looked to be a problem for any side keen on signing the attacking midfielder but HITC is told that Coutinho has agreed to take a loss on the total money owed to him.
This decision from Coutinho has enabled Villa to come to a mutual agreement to terminate his deal, which should be finalised this week.
Coutinho departing Villa Park is certainly not a surprise to many but getting the 32-year-old’s wages off the books will be a welcomed boost for the club.
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