Coutinho makes Premier League return, joins Aston Villa on loan
Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has joined Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona for the remainder of the season.
The move would see the Brazilian reuniting with the manager Steven Gerrard, who was his captain at Liverpool
Many believe the transfer is hinged on the need for the former Bayern Munich player to reignite his career as he continues to punch below his weight.
He joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in January 2013 for a fee worth £8.5m and ‘controversially’ left for Barcelona in January 2018 for a record fee of £146m.
“Aston villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park,” a statement from Villa read.
“The agreement, which is subject to the player completing a medical and receiving a work permit, also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours.”
While Coutinho has struggled to hold down a first-team place at the Nou Camp and spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Bayern Munich, his return to England might see him making the regular team.
Coutinho, who has been in the shadow of himself especially after joining Barcelona won the Champions League in 2020 while on loan at Bayern Munich
That Gerrard described him as a “special footballer” on Thursday, Coutinho is expected to add depth and value to the set up of his former teammate and Captain.
