Aston Villa to shed top earner to make room for summer transfers

Aston Villa are reportedly set to terminate the contract of Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho, allowing him to leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

The 32-year-old, who joined Villa permanently in 2022 for £17million after a successful loan spell, has failed to live up to expectations and is no longer part of manager Unai Emery’s plans for the coming season.

Coutinho spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Qatari club Al-Duhail, where he managed to score seven goals and provide three assists in 24 appearances.

Despite his good performance in Qatar, Emery has decided not to reinstate the former Liverpool star into his squad as Villa prepare to balance their domestic and European commitments.

The Brazilian’s career has been in freefall since his high-profile move from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018. Many believed his move to Villa Park in January 2022 would help revive his fortunes, but the transfer ultimately failed to live up to expectations.

By mutually terminating Coutinho’s contract, which runs until 2026, Aston Villa will free up significant space on their wage bill, as the midfielder is considered one of the club’s highest earners, earning £135,000-a-week. The move will also help the club comply with Financial Fair Play regulations and allow for new signings as they look to strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead.

Once an agreement is reached between Aston Villa and Coutinho, the playmaker is expected to return to his native Brazil, with his boyhood club Vasco da Gama reportedly interested in securing his services. However, no deal is imminent and other clubs could express an interest in the 32-year-old once his contract with Villa is officially terminated.

Aston Villa continue their preparations for the 2024-25 season, with manager Unai Emery and his recruitment team working hard to build a squad capable of not only competing in the Premier League but also making a serious impact in the Champions League.

The upcoming season will bring new challenges for Villa, who will have to balance playing in Europe’s toughest competition with qualifying for the Premier League. With teams like Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United all looking to improve their game, Emery must look to add quality to his squad.

As Philippe Coutinho’s tenure at Aston Villa comes to an end, the club will look to move forward and focus on building a strong and competitive squad for the future.