Aston Villa are reportedly in the process of terminating the contract of Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, allowing him to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.
The 32-year-old, who joined Villa permanently in 2022 for £17 million following a successful loan spell, has failed to live up to expectations and is no longer part of manager Unai Emery's plans for the upcoming season.
Coutinho spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Qatari side Al-Duhail, where he managed to score seven goals and provide three assists in 24 appearances.
Despite his decent performance in Qatar, Emery has decided against reintegrating the former Liverpool star into his squad as Villa prepare to balance their domestic and European commitments.
The Brazilian's career has been on a downward spiral since his high-profile move from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018. Many believed that his transfer to Villa Park in January 2022 would help revive his fortunes, but the move ultimately failed to meet expectations.
By mutually terminating Coutinho's contract, which runs until 2026, Aston Villa will free up significant space on their wage bill, as the midfielder is believed to be one of the club's highest earners, reportedly earning £135,000 per week. This move will also help the club comply with financial fair play regulations and allow room for new signings as they look to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.
Once an agreement is reached between Aston Villa and Coutinho, the playmaker is expected to return to his native Brazil, with his boyhood club Vasco da Gama reportedly interested in securing his services. However, no deal is imminent, and other clubs may express interest in the 32-year-old once his Villa contract is officially cancelled.
Aston Villa continue their preparations for the 2024-25 season. Manager Unai Emery and his recruitment team are working hard to assemble a squad capable of not only competing in the Premier League but also making a serious impact in the Champions League.
The upcoming season will bring a number of new challenges for Villa, as they must balance competing in Europe's toughest competition with securing more European qualification through the Premier League. With the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United all vying to step up their game, Emery must attempt to add quality to his squad.
As Philippe Coutinho's time at Aston Villa comes to an end, the club will be looking to move forward and focus on building a strong, competitive team for the future.