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Reports: Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho set to join Aston Villa on loan

By Andrew Capitelli

MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern München and FC Barcelona at Football Arena Munich on December 08, 2021 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 08: Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League group E match between FC Bayern München and FC Barcelona at Football Arena Munich on December 08, 2021 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) /
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Reports on Wednesday stated Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho was on the verge of joining Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2021-22 season.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou and will exit this window to make room for new signing Ferran Torres.

Reports from all over Europe were confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, who said Villa “are in direct contact with Philippe Coutinho’s agent to negotiate potential loan move,” but that the deal was not yet done.

Additionally, it is believed that Villa are looking to include an option to buy in the agreement that would initially see the Brazilian join until the summer.

Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (R) celebrates scoring his goal with Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool at Loftus Road in London on October 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho (R) celebrates scoring his goal with Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool at Loftus Road in London on October 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Manager Steven Gerrard has reportedly been involved in the recruitment of his former Liverpool teammate and a reunion appears imminent.

Coutinho scored 41 times in 152 league matches for Liverpool between 2013 and 2018 before joining Barcelona. In Spain, Coutinho featured only 76 times and spent the entirety of 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich where he tallied eight goals.

The high-profile signing of Coutinho would be a statement of intent from the Aston Villa camp as Gerrard and upper management look to bolster the side. Villa are also reportedly interested in signing a left back and a defensive midfielder this window.

Some sources believe Coutinho could be introduced as an Aston Villa player in the next couple of days. Stay tuned.

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