Aston Villa 'in the box seat' to complete Philippe Coutinho signing

Aston Villa remain ‘in the box seat’ to sign Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis despite interest from two Premier League rivals, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The transfer window may have closed a matter of weeks ago, but the creative midfielder is already on the radar of other clubs ahead of the summer.

Coutinho sealed his return to the Premier League by joining Villa on an initial loan deal which can be made permanent for £33million from Barcelona last month.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, via BirminghamLive, has claimed that fee is a snip and backed his former Liverpool team-mate to be the main man at Villa Park for years to come.

But it appears the Midlands club could face competition for Coutinho’s services as two of their Premier League rivals have added the attacking midfielder to their shortlist of summer targets.

Spanish media outlet Fichajes have revealed West Ham United and Arsenal are interested in hijacking Coutinho’s permanent switch to Villa.

The report suggests both clubs will enter talks with Barcelona and Gunners chief Mikel Arteta is ‘in love’ with the 29-year-old.

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O’Rourke believes Aston Villa are still at the front of the queue to take Coutinho off Barcelona’s hands on a permanent basis.

The journalist feels the deal the Midlands club agreed with the Catalan giants means they are in the driving seat.

As a result, he suggests it will be difficult for West Ham or Arsenal to attract Coutinho to London in the summer.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “They’re in the box seat right now. They’ve got him on loan with an option to buy as well.”

While the structure of the deal which took Coutinho to Villa plays into his current