Aston Villa: Philippe Coutinho could inspire next major Gerrard coup

Aston Villa star Philippe Coutinho’s renaissance under head coach Steven Gerrard could persuade Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to head to Villa Park in the summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Coutinho joined the Midlands club on an initial loan deal during the January window, but the agreement could see him switch from Barcelona on a permanent basis for £33million.

According to Spanish sources, Villa are keeping tabs on Wijnaldum and have been told it would take a bid of £21million to prise him away from PSG.

The report suggests the Premier League side are not the 85-cap Netherlands international’s only suitors as La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are understood to be at the front of the queue for his services.

Wijnaldum only joined PSG after the expiry of his Liverpool contract last summer, but the switch to the French capital has not gone to plan.

The 31-year-old has failed to nail down a regular starting berth in the heart of his current employers’ midfield.

A lack of opportunities has led to Wijnaldum previously telling Dutch news outlet NOS that he is not ‘completely happy’ and finding it ‘very difficult’ at PSG.

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Coutinho has hit the ground running since heading to Villa, regularly getting his name on the scoresheet and recording assists.

Jones believes the Brazilian’s form could convince Wijnaldum to head back to the Premier League and make Villa Park his next destination.

The transfer insider feels Villa have shown their ambition by welcoming Coutinho to the Midlands and that could also come into the Dutchman’s thinking.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Wijnaldum could look towards Coutinho and think he seems