Aston Villa: £40m Villa Park exit could 'fund Coutinho deal'

Aston Villa could fund a permanent move for Philippe Coutinho by sanctioning Matty Cash’s big-money departure to Atletico Madrid, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Steven Gerrard was appointed as the Midlands club’s head coach in November and is expected to put a stamp on the squad he inherited when the window reopens in the summer.

Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed Cash is top of Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone’s list of right-back targets and heading to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium is a ‘serious possibility’.

The reigning La Liga champions have been in the hunt for a Kieran Trippier replacement since rubber-stamping his £12million transfer to Newcastle United in the early stages of the January window.

Atletico Madrid are reportedly willing to part with up to £40million in order to prise Cash away from Villa Park in the summer.

Villa are in the driving seat when it comes to negotiations as the former Nottingham Forest man’s £24,000-per-week contract still has more than three years remaining.

It is understood the Midlands club are preparing to offer Cash, who has made 59 appearances for his current employers, a bumper new deal to fend off interest.

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Jones has urged Villa to sanction two-cap Poland international Cash’s departure if Atletico Madrid lodge a £40million bid.

The transfer insider feels the Midlands club could then use those funds to turn Coutinho’s loan switch into a permanent agreement.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “It would be a great deal for Villa because I think they would see him as a player that they can replace.

“Also, that money can basically fund a transfer for Coutinho and I think