Steven Gerrard delivers promising transfer message following Coutinho deal

Philippe Coutinho made his move to Villa Park from Barcelona permanent this week in a deal believed to be worth €20 million.
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Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard admits that the transfer of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona will help attract a stronger calibre of player to Villa Park this summer.

Coutinho, 29, became the scouser’s third permanent signing since taking the reins in the West Midlands and the first of the summer transfer window.

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The Brazil international brings with him a real “wow factor” and has rightly had fans of the claret and blue buzzing.

It’s not just the supporters whose interest he is perking though, with Gerrard stating that the deal will only help bring other big names through the door over the coming months - and in fact, has already done so.

Speaking of the 29-year-old’s initial loan move back in January, the manager explained that another one of the winter arrivals was keen to know the status of that deal when it was in the works and it’s a theme he expects to carry on in the next window.

“Here at Aston Villa I’ve only experienced one window but I remember sitting down with Lucas Digne and him saying: ‘What’s happening with Coutinho?’ and vice-versa,” Gerrard said.

“Good players ask questions about good players.

“They want to know who they are going to be playing with.

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“They want to play with good players but they also want to know: ‘Who’s going to be with me, who’s going to be helping me?’

“If we are going to take this journey forward, if we are going to reach to achieve things, they want to know they are going to be doing it with good players. That’s the way it is.”

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