Aston Villa loanee Philippe Coutinho has suggested that a solution could be found this week to extend his stay at Vasco da Gama.
The 33-year-old joined the Brazilian outfit on loan last summer, and that deal is set to expire at the end of June at which point he’ll return to Villa if no new agreement is reached.
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Since returning to Vasco, Coutinho has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances, and so it had been hoped that a positive loan stint would end in a permanent transfer to get his wages off our books.
Having fallen down the pecking order at Villa following Unai Emery’s arrival, the Brazilian playmaker doesn’t have a future with us and so it’s undoubtedly in the best interests of all concerned for him to move on this summer.
Ideally, that would mean being signed outright by Vasco rather than another loan, but while it remains uncertain which it will be, both Coutinho and club officials are strongly suggesting that an outcome will be reached in the coming days for him to remain in Brazil.
“People are talking, I think this week is a positive one to talk and decide everything,” he told Premiere, as per ESPN Brazil.
Meanwhile, Vasco coach Fernando Diniz spoke on Coutinho’s future too, and he reiterated both his and the club’s desire to keep the playmaker beyond this month, and so it’s hoped that a solution is found.
“I believe that things will work out and he will stay here with us. It’s his wish, everyone’s here at Vasco, the fans’ and mine too. I have a strong connection with Philippe, I’ve always been a great admirer of his talent and now as a person, as I get to know him more and more,” Diniz said, as quoted by ESPN Brazil.
“A player with talent that matches his humility. He has a lot to offer Vasco and Brazilian football. Players like him are always a gift to Brazilian football. A symbolic match that he will not forget any time soon.”
While it seems highly unlikely that Villa will be able to secure a transfer fee for Coutinho if he leaves permanently, we face pressure to comply with UEFA’s SCR rules and so lowering our wage bill is a priority this summer.
There’s little doubt that he’s on a big contract with us that has 12 months still to run on it, and so although it’s likely to be more complicated than simply saying we should terminate his deal given the likelihood that we would have to agree to pay him off to do so, whether it’s a permanent move to Vasco on a free transfer or the Brazilian side covering a significant portion of Coutinho’s wages in a loan extension, it’s hoped that Villa are able to reach a favourable agreement sooner rather than later.
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