"Edging closer to £200,000-a-week" - Journalist drops intriguing Aston Villa summer deal claim

Aston Villa could offer Philippe Coutinho a contract worth in the region of £200,000-per-week as they look to tie the creative midfielder down to a permanent switch to Villa Park, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Coutinho sealed his reunion with Villa head coach Steven Gerrard by making a loan move from Barcelona in January, but the deal includes the option of being made into a long-term agreement for £33million.

Coutinho has made a stunning start to his Villa career, leading to Gerrard already confirming he wants to see the playmaker remain in the Midlands beyond the end of the season.

However, it appears Gerrard is set to face competition for his former Liverpool team-mate’s services as Spanish sources have claimed Arsenal are readying a move for Coutinho.

The report suggests Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is looking into the possibility of bringing the 66-cap Brazil international to the Emirates Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United could also reportedly enter the race for Coutinho’s services.

Barcelona have been told by La Liga that 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, so Coutinho is likely to be among the outcasts the Catalan giants are hoping to offload at the end of the campaign.

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O’Rourke believes Villa will be willing to bust the bank in order to take advantage of the permanent option which was agreed upon Coutinho’s switch from Barcelona.

The journalist feels the Midlands club are open to making Coutinho the highest-paid player on their books.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “There are a few players at Villa on