Aston Villa tipped to sign Coutinho on the ‘cheap’ after Amazon news – expert
Alex McLeish has suggested Aston Villa could sign Philippe Coutinho on the “cheap” this summer after impressing on loan.
The former Villa boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 29-year-old is showing his “world-class” ability under Steven Gerrard.
Speaking to Amazon Prime after Thursday’s win over Leeds United (11 March), Gerrard confirmed Villa have an option in place to turn Coutinho’s loan permanent and insisted he wants him signed past the summer.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano (9 March), the clause is set at £33million (€40million).
However, the Villa board are reportedly willing to wait until May to trigger the move from Barcelona.
McLeish insisted the price tag agreed is “very decent” for a player of Coutinho’s calibre.
Discussing Coutinho’s form, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s in no small way down to Gerrard and Gary McAllister being there.
“Players, especially when I dealt with foreign players, they just love to be loved. Not every player does, don’t get me wrong. Some players like a little bit of firmness.
“But some of them just like the coach to be impressed by them. Sir Alex Ferguson said to me, when times were changing, that all players want to hear now is: ‘Well done.’ That’s all they want to hear from a coach.
“I guess Coutinho has been really welcomed by Villa. Obviously, he’s got a great rapport with Steven Gerrard. What’s not to like about Philippe Coutinho at his full level?
“He’s been brilliant and no wonder Stevie is trying to keep him. That £33million does seem, in these modern times, a very decent and cheap, cheap deal for a player who’s potentially world-class.”
Coutinho scored his fourth goal for Villa in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Leeds.
In other news, pundit claims Aston Villa star could be London-bound.