Philippe Coutinho is on the verge of departing Aston Villa. The Brazilian midfielder, who has endured a challenging period since his high-profile £142 million transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in January 2018, is reportedly close to rejoining his former club.
Coutinho’s move to Barcelona initially promised much but delivered little, leading to a series of loan spells and an eventual transfer to Aston Villa.
Liverpool, on the other hand, used the substantial fee from Coutinho’s sale to invest in key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Fabinho. These acquisitions were instrumental in their subsequent success, which included winning the Champions League and the Premier League.
Coutinho’s stint at Barcelona did not go as planned. He struggled to establish himself at the Catalan club, leading to a loan move to Bayern Munich, where he had some success but not enough to secure a permanent transfer.
Eventually, he joined Aston Villa, reuniting with his former Liverpool teammate and then Villa manager, Steven Gerrard. Despite this reunion and the high hopes attached to it, Coutinho was unable to recapture his best form and subsequently spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Qatari club Al-Duhail.
As it stands, Coutinho appears to be surplus to requirements at Villa Park. Despite having two years remaining on his contract, the club is reportedly considering terminating his contract to facilitate his return to Brazil.
Coutinho’s potential destination is Vasco da Gama, the club where he began his professional career and made 31 appearances. Reports from Brazilian outlet Trivela suggest that an agreement has been reached, contingent on the termination of his contract with Aston Villa.
Coutinho has reportedly been in Rio de Janeiro since last Friday, fueling speculation about his imminent return to Vasco da Gama. However, Aston Villa is somewhat reluctant to let him go, especially considering the £17 million they paid for him. The club’s investment and the player’s inability to deliver on his potential have made this a complex situation.
Interestingly, the situation is further complicated by the potential involvement of Fenway Sports Group (FSG). FSG, the current owners of Liverpool, have been linked with the purchase of Vasco da Gama.
The Brazilian club, currently 13th in their top flight, has been embroiled in legal and financial issues, leading to a judge taking control away from 777 Partners, who own 70% of the club. FSG is reportedly looking to expand their portfolio and might see Vasco da Gama as a valuable addition. This speculation has gained traction, especially after FSG brought back former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards as their CEO of football.
