Aston Villa face a decision on Philippe Coutinho this summer, and there are reportedly two possible options on the table relating to Vasco da Gama.
The 32-year-old joined us in an initial loan deal from Barcelona in January 2022, and after impressing in the second half of that campaign, he was signed on a permanent basis the following summer.
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However, injuries and a lack of form saw him struggle as he fell down the pecking order following Unai Emery’s appointment, and he was subsequently loaned out to Al-Duhail first, before he returned to Vasco last summer on a season-long loan deal.
Coutinho has made 18 appearances so far this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists, and while it looks as though he’s happy back in Brazil, there is an important decision ahead for all concerned parties when his loan stint comes to an end.
According to Globo, Vasco are keen on the idea of another loan deal, but the possibility of Coutinho terminating his contract with Villa is also touted as a potential solution.
The Brazilian playmaker’s current contract with us runs until June 2026, and so the termination of his deal would surely hinge on the financial implications as although it makes sense to get him off our books, paying up a significant portion of his remaining wages would undoubtedly deter the club’s management from going down that route.
Another loan for a year would perhaps help if Vasco are set to cover most of his salary, but ideally, Villa would surely want a transfer fee and to get those wages entirely written off, and so it remains to be seen if we’ll have to settle for the latter with the termination of his contract seemingly a serious option to consider.
What is clear at this stage is that Villa and Emery have moved in a different direction and there is ultimately no way back for Coutinho with us. In turn, it makes sense for all parties to split permanently sooner rather than later, and so it’s hoped that an agreement can be reached which suits all concerned, and allows us to strengthen our financial position and perhaps even bolster the squad with the wage bill being significantly reduced.
