Aston Villa have confirmed midfielder Philippe Coutinho has joined Vasco da Gama on a season-long loan.
The Athletic previously reported Villa had been in talks to terminate Coutinho’s contract, facilitating a return to Brazil and Vasco da Gama. However, negotiations proved protracted, with the Brazilian side unable to provide a requisite salary agreement, meaning Villa had to explore alternative options in attempting to offload the 32-year-old.
Coutinho moved to Villa initially on loan from Barcelona in January 2022, before making the transfer permanent in July 2022.
However, he fell out of favour at Villa Park and spent last season at Qatari side Al Duhail, scoring seven goals and provide three assists in 22 games.
With Villa looking to revamp their squad this summer, Coutinho had been among the club’s biggest earners at around £135,000 a week and still has two years left to run on his contract.
His move from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 remains the third-most expensive signing in football history behind Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who both joined Paris Saint-Germain.
Coutinho has not added to his 68 Brazil caps since June 2022 and was not selected for their 2024 Copa America squad.
Aston Villa have already completed the signings of Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenechea and Ross Barkley ahead of the 2024-25 season as they prepare to play Champions League football for the first time in 41 years.
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