Revealed: Aston Villa to terminate star’s contract

According to sources that spoke to Football Insider, Aston Villa is collaborating with Philippe Coutinho to end his contract two years early.

Senior journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed that Coutinho will leave Villa Park on a free transfer as he tries to join a new club in the upcoming weeks on the most recent episode of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.

Following his season-long loan to Al-Duhail in Qatar, Football Insider reported last month that the 32-year-old had “no way back” with Villa.

Despite his contract expiring in2026, negotiations are still underway to terminate the Brazilian offensive midfielder’s employment this summer. Unai Emery has not included him in his plans for the upcoming campaign.

He is reportedly paid one of the highest salaries at Villa and is a “huge” earner for the team.

If Coutinho and Villa can reach a consensus, Coutinho is expected to return to Brazil.

One of the players most likely to depart Aston Villa is Philippe Coutinho.
When Steven Gerrard negotiated a loan agreement for Coutinho with Barcelona for his former Liverpool teammate in January 2022, it was considered a major signing.

Shortly after the attacker’s £17 million permanent contract was agreed upon that summer, Gerrard was fired, and Emery was named as his replacement.

Under the Spaniard, Coutinho lost ground in the hierarchy and was sent on loan to Al-Duhail last summer despite making 43 appearances for the team and scoring six goals and dishing out three assists.

The Brazilian played 22 games for the Qatari team, contributing three assists and seven goals. However, Emery has not given the Brazilian another chance at Villa Park, and negotiations to terminate his contract are currently underway.

Due to the club’s financial predicament, a number of players have been linked to leaving Villa this summer, including Coutinho.

The West Midlands powerhouses need to generate £60 million in player sales this summer to avoid possibly losing points the next season, according to information obtained by Football Insider earlier this month.

Everton has already signed Tim Iroegbunam, while Douglas Luiz and Omari Kellyman have agreed to trade places with Juventus and Chelsea, respectively.

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