Philippe Coutinho: Aston Villa are closing in on 'brilliant' signing 'you want to see' - pundit
Philippe Coutinho will agree to take a wage cut so he can sign for Aston Villa permanently in the summer.
That's according to former Villains striker Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Brazilian's future.
The Telegraph reported on Wednesday (9 March) Coutinho, 29, faces having to take a significant cut to his £480,000-a-week wages if he is to join Villa permanently.
The Brazilian joined the Villains on loan from Barcelona in January and has made eight appearances in the Premier League so far.
He has registered four goals and three assists in those outings.
McAvennie predicts Coutinho will agree to a wage cut and move to Villa Park on a permanent basis.
"I don't see that being a problem," McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
"He's made his money over in Barcelona. I think he will want to stay at Villa.
"He has been so, so good for them and I'm sure they will want to do everything to keep him.
"Coutinho must know Villa can't pay him what he's earning at the moment.
"He will still earn a very good wage, let's be real, there's no way Villa can pay that even though they aren't exactly short of cash.
"As I say, I see no problems here and this is the kind of signing you want to see from Villa.
"He's been brilliant for them so I'm sure he will want to stay and continue that."
Villa are next in action against West Ham on Sunday (13 March).
They are ninth in the league as it stands.