Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa are about to deal Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur a blow in their quest to sign Philippe Coutinho, according to 90min.
90min are reporting this afternoon that Villa have opened talks with Barcelona over the permanent signing of Coutinho.
The former Liverpool star, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, joined Premier League club Villa on loan from Spanish and European giants Barcelona in the January transfer window.
Villa can reportedly signed the 29-year-old on a permanent contract for £34 million in the summer transfer window, and they have opened talks with Barcelona over a deal.
Manager Gerrard is optimistic about getting a deal done, although Coutinho will have to take a pay-cut, according to 90min.
Blow for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur
Villa reportedly opening talks with Barcelona over a permanent deal for Coutinho will come as a blow for Arsenal and Tottenham.
Earlier this month, Sport reported that North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are keen on signing the 29-year-old former Bayern Munich loanee.
Coutinho seems happy at Villa and is back to playing like his best under his former Liverpool teammate Gerrard.
Now, Arsenal and Tottenham may be bigger clubs and are likely be in Europe next season, but for Coutinho, at the moment, it will be enjoying his football.
Like he is doing at Villa.
The attacking midfielder has scored four goals and given three assists in nine Premier League starts for Villa.
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