'I understand...' - Insider now drops Villa update as Lange makes enquiry to Europa League club

Transfer insider Dean Jones has dropped a fresh update on Aston Villa’s permanent pursuit to sign Philippe Coutinho.  

Steven Gerrard made the former Liverpool star his first signing as Villa manager, with the Brazilian joining on loan from Barcelona. The 29-year-old has gone on to impress back in England, contributing to seven goals in 11 appearances.

Villa managed to negotiate an option to buy Coutinho at the end of the season, believed to be in the region of £34m, but Johan Lange and co have seemingly asked the Europa League quarter-finalists if they can help further with a full-time switch.

Talking to The Transfer Tavern, Jones claimed that Villa have ‘asked’ Barcelona if they could do ‘something’ when it comes to Coutinho’s final year under contract at the Nou Camp. The journalist stated:

“From what I understand, they’ve asked Barcelona about doing something over the last year of his deal there.”

Barcelona appear to be desperate to offload Coutinho for good and would reportedly be willing to accept a lower fee than the £34m figure upon which the clubs agreed in January.

Villa may well be aware of that, and with Coutinho on £480,000 per week at the Nou Camp, the Midlands club may well be asking Barcelona to release the playmaker from the final 12 months of his deal or lower a fee massively in order for Villa to finance a full-time move for him.

Newcastle have also been linked with his services recently, so there could be more twists and turns when it comes to Coutinho’s long-term future ahead of the summer transfer window.

In other news: Gregg Evans buzzing as Aston Villa confirm ‘great news’ for Steven Gerrard 

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