Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho could be really reuniting with Steven Gerrard at Villa Park after both stayed together at the Premier League club Liverpool.
Gerrard was his captain at the club Liverpool. Aston Villa has conceded for a deal to sign the 29-year-old on loan from the La Liga club. The Brazilian is expected to move to Birmingham in the upcoming next 48 hours to complete his medicals. “The agreement also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours,” reported the Italian journalist and football expert Fabrizio Romano.
Official, confirmed. Philippe Coutinho joins Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona. Deal signed. ⭐️🇧🇷 #AVFC
“The agreement also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours”, statement confirms. 🤝
Steven Gerrard, key factor.
Here we go. pic.twitter.com/gocdxkHXd5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022
The journalist also updated about how much Coutinho will earn at the club.
Aston Villa will pay around 65% [with taxes] of Philippe Coutinho’s salary. Barcelona have accepted to concede buy option clause, not mandatory. 🤝🇧🇷 #AVFC
Steven Gerrard had more than three direct contacts with Cou in the last 48 hours – and now it’s already done and official.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022
The club welcomed the player on loan until the end of the season, “Welcome, Philippe Coutinho,” stated Aston Villa.
Welcome, Philippe Coutinho! 🙌
Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park. 🇧🇷
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 7, 2022
The veteran player from Brazil international had signed for the Spanish club for a £142 million move from Liverpool in January 2018. The other clubs that eyed the attacking midfielder involved Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder’s contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the season 2022-23. He has appeared for 106 games for Barca and netted 26 goals. The player still has 18 months left in the contract at Camp Nou.
Coutinho, a very good player at Liverpool didn’t leave any impressive record in Spain at Barcelona and desired to have a neat start that will be seen with the Villa manager Steven Gerrard with whom he has already worked before.