Aston Villa could be about to offload a player previously dubbed ‘world-class’ as Fabrizio Romano shares a key update.
Aston Villa will have been delighted to have sewn up their second signing of the summer, following Lewis Dobbin, as left-back Ian Maatsen arrived from Chelsea for £37.5m.
The talented Dutchman – who spent last season on loan at Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund – has sealed a five-year contract at Villa Park.
Maatsen is the level of player Unai Emery is capable of attracting now that Villa are in the Champions League and their business isn’t going to stop there.
Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenchea are on the verge of joining once Douglas Luiz completes his move to Juventus while Ross Barkley is set to arrive from Luton Town.
Luiz isn’t the only player closing in on a move out of B6, as another talent could see his time at the club come to an end.
Fabrizio Romano shares an update on Philippe Coutinho’s Aston Villa future
Signed on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022 following a successful six-month loan, it’s easy to forget that Philippe Coutinho is still an Aston Villa player as he hasn’t featured in claret and blue since August 2023.
The former Liverpool marvel went on to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Duhail last summer and has now returned to Villa Park expecting to leave.
Previously linked with a move to Vasca da Gama, Fabrizio Romano has now revealed the 32-year-old is closing in on a move to the Brazilian top division side after agreeing terms.
Romano states the only detail required is Villa terminating his £125k-a-week contract and Emery will have no problems doing that, with Coutinho only producing nine goal contributions in 43 appearances for the club.
Selling Philippe Coutinho will be a huge help
Once dubbed ‘world-class’ by former manager Steven Gerrard, Coutinho has declined significantly since sealing a staggering £142m move to Barcelona in 2018.
For Villa to become even more flexible with PSR after selling Luiz, Omari Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunham, Coutinho must be the next name to exit.
The Brazilian’s return to England hasn’t worked out as he would have imagined and a report from The Athletic has said there are doubts he could even complete a game at Premier League level, telling of his fall from grace.
Nonetheless, shifting on Coutinho’s £135k-a-week wages will be essential for Emery to sign further Champions League-ready players as the Spaniard continues his renaissance in Birmingham.
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