A move from Aston Villa to Corinthians would make ‘no sense’ for Philippe Coutinho even with the former Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker hoping to leave his Premier League employers during the January transfer window, reporter Milton Neves tells UOL.
Coutinho has had his fair share of false dawns in recent years.
There was that treble-winning campaign at Bayern Munich in 2019/20, for instance. Not to mention a terrific start to life on loan at Aston Villa nearly 12 months ago; a dazzling introduction against Manchester United and virtuoso displays against Leeds and Southampton. Performances which had some wondering if a once-glittering reputation could be salvaged in claret-and-blue.
But since joining Aston Villa permanently to the tune of £17 million in the summer, Coutinho has neither scored a goal nor produced a single assist. This, coupled with the departure of his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, means the now-30-year-old playmaker goes into January with question marks once again hanging over his head.
Unai Emery, after all, prefers quicker, more mobile options in attack. Villarreal duo Nicolas Jackson and Arnaut Danjuma have already been linked.
Philippe Coutinho wants to leave Aston Villa and return to Brazil
Goal believe that Coutinho would jump at the chance to return to his South American homeland. UOL reporter Milton Neves, however, cannot imagine any world in which a player currently earning £125,000-a-week ends up at the Neo Quimica Arena.
Even the biggest clubs in Brazil would struggle to finance a deal in the current state of play.
“The club from Sao Paulo, megalomaniac as it is, had to get involved in speculation (regarding a deal) that is very difficult in order to deceive its fans. And I’m referring to the rumour that Corinthians is trying to sign Philippe Coutinho,” he writes.
“He has a place in many other teams on the planet. In Europe, in the Arab World, in the MLS or even in other richer clubs in Brazil.
“(But joining Corinthians) doesn’t make any sense!”
Neves highlights the struggles of another Premier League veteran; former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian. He endured 13 miserable months at Corinthians before returning to England with Fulham.
“All it takes is a phone call to Willian,” Neves adds. “For Coutinho to realise that the Timao is not a good fit. In other words, it is easier to imagine (Jair) Bolsonaro joining (incoming president) Lula’s ministerial team than Coutinho wearing the Corinthians shirt.
“You don’t stand a chance!”
Or, for all you UK-based readers, there is more chance of Kier Starmer turning his back on the Labour party to become Rishi Sunak’s right-hand man in Downing Street.
A winter of change at Aston Villa
In addition to Coutinho, Marvelous Nakamba, Morgan Sanson and Frederic Guilbert could also leave Villa Park in 2023. Guilbert was disappointed to miss out on a summer move, and is determined to make up for lost time.
“Now, I’m looking to the future. With Unai Emery, I have never had a discussion,” the seldom-seen right-back explains.
“I can’t stay in this situation forever. We are studying the possibilities with my entourage; whether it is a loan with an option to buy or a straight transfer. The only certainty is that I have to have playing time at a club to revive myself. This is the most important thing for me.
“It’s no secret (that I’m available for transfer). For the moment, there is nothing, but I’m open to suggestions. I’m on the market. What matters to me is to play and find pleasure quickly.
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