English Premier League top side Aston Villa is one of many Premier League clubs watching Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho’s situation as the player seeks to leave the Nou Camp. Barca is desperate to move the 29-year-old Brazil playmaker on after bringing on Farren Torres from Manchester City for £55m.
Villa head coach Steven Gerrard is a huge admirer of Coutinho, who he played with at Liverpool. He has also been linked with Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur. Philippe Coutinho is also keen for a fresh start as he tries to revive a poorly stalled career since his £142m moved from Liverpool in January 2018. However, he did win the Champions League in 2020 while on loan at Bayern Munich from Barcelona.
Releasing the Brazilian could ease Barcelona’s wage bill, which has meant they have been unable to register Torres as a player after signing him on 28 December. The Brazilian was a key figure alongside Gerrard when they were both at Liverpool in 2014. Gerrard is exploring options to strengthen his squad after leaving Rangers to succeed Dean Smith at Villa in November but says he will not be rushed into deals.
He said: “We won’t sign players for the sake of it to add volume. We are looking and assessing certain players for certain positions in the squad.”