Last week, one of Aston Villa’s highest earners was quizzed about what the future may hold for him during the upcoming summer transfer window.
And his response did little to quell the speculation suggesting that a return to the club where he started his career could be on the cards.
“Everyone already knows (what I want),” was the Aston Villa misfit’s reaction.
It certainly feels unlikely in the extreme that Unai Emery, Monchi and co will opt to stand in Philippe Coutinho‘s way. His Aston Villa career went sour almost immediately after his former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was put out of his misery in late-2022, Unai Emery demanding a bit more agility and intensity in the attacking midfield spots now occupied by Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby.
Aston Villa expected to move Philippe Coutinho on again
Coutinho spent the whole of last season on loan at Al-Duhail in Qatar.
A return to Brazil – specifically Vasco da Gama – now appears to be the most likely solution to Villa’s Coutinho problem. The former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan ace – who once set Barcelona back a staggering £142 million – started his career at the Sao Januario.
Cruzeiro have thrown their own hat into the ring, their president insisting that he will spare no effort in pursuit of a ‘dream’ signing.
But Vasco da Gama have the obvious advantage of boasting an emotional connection with a man who increasingly feels like a tape deck in a Tesla as far as modern football goes, Coutinho – like James Rodriguez – left behind by the shift towards high-pressing.
Vasco icon Nene, meanwhile, cannot wait to see Coutinho potentially follow in his footsteps at a club who have finished 15th and 13th in the last two league seasons.
“He’s Vasco’s son. A sensational player, who can help the club a lot,” Nene, once of PSG and West Ham United, says via Terra. “It will be a joy for the fans (to see Coutinho arrive).
“I don’t know what their situation is, but he will help Vasco a lot.”
Return to Brazil likely for ex-Barcelona playmaker
Coutinho, who joined Aston Villa for £17 million, still has two years left on his contract. Another loan move may be on the cards, then, before securing a permanent departure when his value falls further.
“We’ve been talking about a lot of things, but all of this is changing quickly. Philippe Coutinho’s trajectory and CV speak for themselves,” Vasco da Gama’s new head coach Alvaro Pacheco recently told O Dia.
“He’s a super experienced player, with a fantastic career. If he comes, he’ll be very welcome by everyone.”
Still only 31, Coutinho rose through the ranks at Vasco. He made 43 appearances for the first-team before crossing the Atlantic and joining Inter Milan over a decade ago.
Aston Villa, who have held talks with PSG playmaker Carlos Soler, also have a decision to make about the future of another South American attacker. According to his agent, Jhon Duran is still a Chelsea target despite the departure of Mauricio Pochettino.
“Jhon Duran has a long-term contract,” Jonathan Herrera tells Caracol. “He ended up doing things very well and the coach is counting on him. it is a club that, having gotten into the Champions League, is a great opportunity.
“But we know that he wants to play. He wants to go out and play. Let’s see. Now, the market is opening. The club is looking at some options and so are we.”
“The interest (from Chelsea) has always existed. The fact that Pochettino leaves the club (should not affect what happens). The one who wants him, in the end, is the club. There has always been an interest.
“Let’s see how we can handle it and make sure Aston Villa is ready.”
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