Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho agrees deal to join Aston Villa on loan until end of season
Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season, Premier League clubs announced on Friday.
The contract, which is subject to the player's medical completion and obtaining a work permit, also includes an option to buy, and Philip will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours.
Sources told ESPN that five Premier League sides have held talks with Coutinho's camp, with Villa and another English club showing the most serious interest.
However, the presence of Coutinho's former teammate at Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, helped to tip the balance in Villa's favour.
The Premier League club said in a statement: "Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park.
"The agreement, which is subject to the player completing medicals and obtaining a work permit, also includes the option to buy and Philip will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours."
Gerrard, who left Rangers to replace Dean Smith as coach at Villa Park late last year, was instrumental in persuading the Brazilian to make the move to the Midlands.
Coutinho, 29, has been reluctant to leave Barca before, but his desire to play regular football in a World Cup year has led to a change of mind.
Barca made Coutinho their most expensive signing ever when they paid Liverpool €160 million for him in 2018.
His first season at Camp Nou, playing with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, ended with a home double, but he lost his way in his second stint.
He spent the 2019–20 season on loan at German giants Bayern Munich, scoring twice as they beat Barca 8–2 on their way to win the Champions League, before returning to Spain for the following campaign.
Ronald Koeman said he would help Coutinho to rediscover his best form, but injury problems returned the player to the Dutch manager.
He missed the second half of last season due to injuries and has started only once, losing 1–0 to Real Betis since the appointment of new coach Xavi Hernandez in November.
Coutinho tested positive for COVID-19 last week but should be cleared to fly to England in the coming days and could be in contention for Villa's Premier League game against Manchester United on January 15 .
