Aston Villa have reportedly agreed on a deal to sign Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.
The English club, under the guidance of Steven Gerrard, has been courting the Brazilian, who is deemed to surplus at the Camp Nou.
Philippe Coutinho’s set to join Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona, done deal and here-we-go! Agreement completed after direct contact today morning 🇧🇷🤝 #AVFC
Loan until end of the season. Aston Villa will pay main part of the salary. Announcement today as per @tjuanmarti. #FCB pic.twitter.com/O4a93ftszY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022
The Brazilian played alongside Gerrard during their time at Liverpool, coming agonizingly close to lifting the Premier League in 2014.
Coutinho then made a big-money move to the Catalan club four years ago but has since struggled to replicate the form that catapulted him to the top of world football.
He failed to tie down a starting spot in Barcelona and was loaned out to Bayern Munich two seasons ago, where he helped them win the UEFA Champions League before returning to Barcelona.
He has attracted interest from a number of European clubs, but it’s understood that his relationship with Gerrard was a factor in making his decision.
