While those pesky Profit and Sustainability rules have some Aston Villa supporters fearing the sales of a few star men, Unai Emery’s Champions League-bound side have one thing other clubs in their situation perhaps don’t.
Now, most of the time, a crop of unwanted, high-earning players taking up room on your roster is not exactly a good thing.
But as Chelsea discovered during the summer of 2023 – when they shipped out Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabia – getting those unwanted, high-earning players off the wage bill can work wonders for your financial situation.
Aston Villa have already added £3.5 million to coffers by selling Morgan Sanson to OGC Nice in France. Leander Dendoncker could follow, albeit after struggling to make an impact in Italy with Napoli. Loanee Nicolo Zaniolo will go too.
HITC, meanwhile, understands that Villa could look to cash in on their £26 million centre-half Diego Carlos while keeping interest in Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz, Emiliano Martinez and Jacob Ramsey at arms’ length.
Aston Villa want to move Philippe Coutinho on
Philippe Coutinho, Villa’s £17 million forgotten man, is closing in on a departure of his own. Still reportedly the club’s highest earner on £135,000-a-week – via Salary Sport – Coutinho spent 2022/23 on loan at Qatari outfit Al-Duhail and has no future under the manager who replaced his former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard at the helm a year-and-a-half ago.
Cruzeiro have thrown their hat into the ring for the Brazil international. Vasco da Gama appear to be his most likely destination, however, talks underway about a deal that would bring Coutinho back to the club where he started his career before embarking upon mixed spells at Inter Milan, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Vasco president Pedrinho confirmed last week that talks were underway, much to the delight of head coach Alvaro Pacheco and club legend Nene.
Now, while giving an update on the situation to UOL, Pedrinho confirmed that one) Coutinho wants the move, and two) further discussions will take place in the coming days.
Vasco da Gama talks ongoing for Brazil ace
“Coutinho’s presence causes an uproar. Inside my house too, my son asks every day!,” Pedrinho laughs. “But, being very truthful, he obviously has a contract with Aston Villa. The most important thing is that he is very interested in coming to Vasco.
“And we are very interested in bringing this great player and fan idol.
“Now, this is not an easy move. A positive movement is that both parties have a lot of interest. This week, probably after Vasco versus Flamengo (on Sunday), I will have a meeting with him. And then we will have a greater direction.
“So far, just phone conversations. Now, when we sit down and talk, we will understand reality. And then, yes, think about the next step.”
Coutinho set Aston Villa back £17 million two years ago after falling out of favour at Barcelona.
HITC understands that Vasco da Gama are hoping the one-time Liverpool talisman manages to free himself from the final two years of his contract. Though that may be easier said than done with his deal running until 2026.
Villa had hoped to sell Coutinho to a club in Saudi Arabia – taking the 2023 Chelsea route – but an initial loan exit could be possible if the playmaker is willing to take a sizeable pay cut.
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