Aston Villa ace wanted in Saudi Arabia as another club open talks over transfer
Philippe Coutinho is the subject of transfer interest from Saudi Arabia amid his uncertain future at Aston Villa, according to RTI Esporte.
The Brazilian outlet reported via their website on 1 January that clubs in Qatar and the UAE are also in the mix for the former Liverpool attacker.
However, Vasco de Gama have already opened talks over extending his existing loan deal, which expires in June, and adding a purchase option.
With Coutinho also keen to stay put, the Brazilian Serie A club are positive about keeping him at least until the end of the year, although Villa are yet to green-light negotiations.
Aston Villa flop Philippe Coutinho wants to stay as Vasco
Coutinho’s existing contract with the Birmingham-based club runs until 2026, meaning he will enter the final year of his deal at the end of the current Premier League season.
Villa signed the Brazilian from Barcelona for £17million in 2022 following a short-term loan deal during Steven Gerrard’s time in charge of the club [Sky Sports].
While the transfer was cause for excitement at Villa Park, it quickly turned stale as he fell out of favour under Unai Emery.
It is now evident that Coutinho does not have a future at Aston Villa, who would prefer to cut their losses on the former Inter Milan ace.
Allowing Coutinho to stay at Vasco until the end of this year would not be ideal for Emery’s side as that would see him enter the final six months of his deal.
Aston Villa are likelier to bag more money if they sold the 32-year-old to the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, in the summer instead.
In other Aston Villa news, this player is being eyed by Wolves in a shock transfer this month.
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