Philippe Coutinho: ‘Huge’ Aston Villa transfer update revealed
Philippe Coutinho will leave Aston Villa this summer as he is not a part of the club’s plans under Unai Emery, sources have told Football Insider.
Coutinho, 31, is no longer in consideration for Emery, with sources saying there is “no way back” for the attacking midfielder at Villa Park.
A return to his home country of Brazil is on the cards after a loan spell at Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League, where he scored three goals and provided two assists in 16 games.
However, a move back to Brazil would mean Villa would likely have to agree a deal in which they pay a big percentage of what is believed to be a “huge” salary incorporated in a contract that runs until 2026.
Philippe Coutinho to leave Aston Villa this summer
During his spell away from the club, Villa enjoyed a successful season by achieving Champions League qualification, with Emery’s current options in Coutinho’s role shining.
The likes of Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rodgers now occupy the wide areas, while John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey are the more advanced midfielders.
Coutinho has made 43 appearances for Villa since arriving at the club from Barcelona on an initial loan deal before securing a permanent move worth £17million in 2022.
In that time, his six goals and three assists saw him fail to live up to expectations before he was shipped out to Al-Duhail on loan.
Having signed a four-year deal, Villa now look set to cut ties with the Brazilian permanently, half-way through his spell at Villa Park, with options now being assessed.
Emery led Villa to Champions League qualification this season, and will now look to strengthen his squad, with Football Insider reporting that talks have opened over a move to sign Ross Barkley.
In other news, Aston Villa are working on shock signing.
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