Aston Villa: Gerrard 'headache' over Coutinho despite £33m agreement

Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard has a tough battle on his hands as he looks to persuade Philippe Coutinho to remain at Villa Park beyond the end of the season, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Coutinho sealed his return to the Premier League during the January window as he linked up with Villa on an initial loan deal which offers the option of being made permanent for £33million.

According to Spanish sources, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Coutinho’s situation and ready to pounce if he or Villa opt against turning the loan into a long-term switch to the Midlands.

The report suggests the Gunners are not the only Premier League club eager to strike a deal as Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United could enter the race for the 29-year-old’s signature.

All three of the London clubs are currently challenging for a place in the Premier League’s top four, which would result in Coutinho returning to Champions League football by securing a transfer to whichever club wins that battle.

The 66-cap Brazil international’s parent club, Barcelona, are in financial trouble and La Liga have told the Catalan giants they will be unable to sign players in the summer transfer window unless they sell members of their existing squad or renegotiate less lucrative contracts with their stars.

Coutinho’s Barcelona contract, which is due to expire in the summer of 2023, is worth £380,000-per-week.

Gerrard, who has described the former Liverpool man as ‘incredible’, has publicly confirmed that he wants to tie Coutinho down to a permanent move to Villa Park.

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Jones believes Gerrard could find it difficult to tempt Coutinho into committing his long-term future to Villa.

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