Aston Villa ‘consider offer’ for £43m clinical striker as Philippe Coutinho makes bold decision

Aston Villa are preparing for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.

Steven Gerrard’s men put on a brave performance against title condenders Liverpool during the week but ultimately fell to a narrow defeat.

On Sunday, they face a Palace team just one place above them, currently just two points off the top half, with Leicester City currently occupying 10th.

A top-half finish will be the goal for Villa as they head into their last three games, but whether they manage it or not, they can be pleased with the progress they have made over the course of the season.

Gerrard will want to put his own stamp on this Villa squad over the summer, and he will already be confident in which players he wants to keep from what he has seen over recent months.

In that vein, we have taken a look at all the latest Villa transfer news:

Coutinho pay cut

Villa secured a permanent deal for loan star Philippe Coutinho on Thursday following impressive performances during his loan spell.

The Midlands club managed to agree a cut-price £17million deal, and that wasn’t the only surprising aspect when it comes to the financial side of this deal.

According to 90min, Coutinho has taken a whopping 70% pay cut to complete the deal having earned around £20million per year at Barcelona.

Probably not quite necessary to organise him a whip-round, mind.

Incoming offer

With Coutinho all snapped up, Villa are said to be turning their attention to their summer striker search.

And according to French outlet BUT!, Villa are lining up a bid for Lille frontman Jonathan David.

It’s claimed Villa are set to make a hefty £42.5million bid for the striker, who has scored 17 goals this season.

David is a Canada international and will head to the upcoming World Cup with his national side, and he is still only 22 years of age.