Aston Villa flop already has next club lined up after contract termination
Aston Villa have agreed terms with Philippe Coutinho to terminate the midfielder’s contract – and now he’s set to make an almost immediate transfer.
The Villans have made the difficult decision to let Coutinho leave the club for free after an unsuccessful loan spell at Qatari outfit Al-Duhail SC.
The Brazilian’s contract has been officially terminated, meaning Villa will gain no return on the £17 million they paid to Barcelona for his services. What Coutinho’s exit does allow, however, is some alleviation of PSR concerns as the midfielder’s £135,000-a-week wages will now be off the books.
Coutinho is reportedly nearing a new agreement with a different club, as Brasileiro Serie A side Vasco da Gama are in talks. It would be a romantic homecoming as the former Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder broke through at Vasco da Gama, a team currently 14th out of 20 in the top flight.
It’s unfortunate it never worked out for Coutinho at Villa Park after he arrived a global superstar. The 31-year-old impressed during an initial loan as he netted five and assisted three in 19 games but he failed to meet expectations when signed permanently, as just one goal in 22 games followed.
Signing for Vasco da Gama would be an admittance his time in elite European football is over - at least for now - but it could be a good move. Not only would he be back in his home surroundings, but the chance to regain some form and consistent fitness could open up opportunities at the twilight end of his career.