Philippe Coutinho could be moved on this summer following an update from his current loan club.
Aston Villa have a big chance to offload the forgotten Philippe Coutinho this summer as current loan club Vasco da Gama have opened up on his current situation with them.
The Brazilian moved back to home soil on loan last July, returning to his boyhood club in a full circle switch. Vasco are eager to keep hold of the playmaker after settling back in well and making an impact on the team.
The club’s CEO recently discussed Coutinho’s situation and has revealed they have started conversations with the 33-year-old’s representatives as they look to offer a new contract.
Vasco want to keep Philippe Coutinho
As things stand, Coutinho’s terms in Rio de Janeiro are due to expire at the end of the month but Vasco are eager to finalise talks over a new agreement with both the player and Aston Villa.
Vasco’s CEO Carlos Amodeo recently told reporters (via ESPN), “We talked about it, I had the opportunity to say that we want to keep Philippe Coutinho. He is an athlete who has been adapting more and more to Brazilian football and the demands of the Brazilian football calendar.
“We have already started negotiations with your representative to conduct this process of a new contract. And we hope that this happens naturally and that when the competition returns he will already have a new contract signed with us and will continue to be part of our squad due to the technical importance he has for the group.”
Coutinho has contributed five goals and three assists since joining Vasco on loan last summer. His contract with Villa is due to expire next June after signing for the club in May 2022. However, he has fallen significantly short of the mark when it’s come down to his desired impact.
After his loan spell, Coutinho’s astonishing fall under the radar continued. Since his blockbuster move to Barcelona from Liverpool in 2018, things have rapidly declined for a player once feared by almost every opposition defence.
Manager ‘believes’ in Philippe Coutinho move
Vasco manager Fernando Diniz feels confident the club will agree a deal with Aston Villa to see Coutinho remain at the Rio club. The players, fans and Coutinho himself reportedly want to see the move come to fruition.
“I believe that things will move forward and he will stay here with us. It is his wish, Vasco's wish, the fans' wish and mine too. I have a strong connection with Philippe. I have always been a great admirer of his talent and now also as a person, as I get to know him better and better,” Diniz said in a recent press conference (via Sport Witness).
“A player with his talent and who matches it with humility. He has a lot to offer Vasco and Brazilian football. Players like him are always a gift for Brazilian football.”
Since his arrival at Aston Villa, Coutinho has made just 43 appearances and has not played for the club in almost two years. He was sent out on loan to Qatari side Al-Duhail before his return to boyhood club Vasco.
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