Paul Merson believes Arsenal-linked Philippe Coutinho may not stay at Aston Villa, unless he reduces his wage demands.
Coutinho has impressed for Villa since returning to the Premier League in January.
The 29-year-old is only loan in the Midlands and that fact has made Arsenal interested in signing him permanently this summer.
The Brazil international is earning some £480,000 per week on Barcelona’s books [The Telegraph].
And Merson, speaking to Sportskeeda, claims that the Villans are ‘out of the running’ unless his salary demands are a lot more realistic.
He said: “Philippe Coutinho has been impressive for Villa, but a permanent deal will depend on his wage demands. If he drops his wages, Villa will sign him but otherwise, they’re out of the running.”
If we’re honest, a wage is inevitable irrespective of where Coutinho winds up going.
There’s no way any club is going to pay him nearly half a million every single week, particularly with a massive question mark over his productivity.
Yes, he has impressed under Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, but it was consistency which held Coutinho back at Camp Nou following a big-money move from Liverpool a little over four years ago.
Arsenal are also ‘out of the running’ – to nick Merson’s phrase – unless the South American drops his demands, too.
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