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Galatasaray want to sign Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho on loan - report
Aston Villa’s out-of-favour star Philippe Coutinho is reportedly a target for Galatasaray with the Turkish giants wanting to secure him on loan before their window closes on Wednesday, according to the Sunday Mirror.
Coutinho was linked with a return to South America last month after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park under new boss Unai Emery [The Sun, 7 January].
The former Liverpool star has yet to register a single goal or assist this season and is yet to start a Premier League game under the former Arsenal and Villarreal boss.
According to the Sunday Mirror [4 February, pg. 78], Galatasaray are looking to secure an initial loan agreement for Coutinho before the Turkish transfer window closes on Wednesday.
The report goes on to state that the Turkish giants are confident they can offer the Brazilian first-team football and that Villa are unlikely to block his exit. However, because the player is one of the highest earners, they would prefer a permanent deal and to recoup the £17m they spent to make his loan move from FC Barcelona permanent.
Keep
The 30-year-old has indeed endured a torrid campaign so far, failing to register any goal contributions and a player who is well down the pecking order following the tremendous form of Leon Bailey and Emi Buendia.
It will be understandable if the Villans were willing to let him leave. However, the player still has much to offer if given the opportunity.
More crucially, Emery has been crying out for attacking reinforcements since his appointment and following the departure of Danny Ings, there is a cause to argue that the Spaniard’s attacking arsenal has been weakened rather than strengthened.
And what if Buendia or Bailey was to suffer an unfortunate injury? Where will that leave Emery with his lack of options if he was to sell Coutinho? We feel the club must keep the Brazilian has he still holds the quality necessary to deliver for the West Midlands club.
He is simply too expensive and too good a footballer to write off just yet.