Lage could solve major Wolves problem with £16.2m-rated star with "magical powers" - opinion

Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been in excellent form since joining former teammate Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa side on-loan from Barcelona in January.

The 29-year-old has scored four goals and set-up three more in eight Premier League appearances, with one coming from off the bench, providing a big creative spark to a Villa team that have made great strides under their new manager.

One team that could do with some of that creativity in the final third is rivals Wolves, who have begun to be linked with the former Liverpool, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich star.

In a report published by BirminghamMail, Wolves are waiting for Villa to make a final decision on Coutinho, with the West Midlands clubs both keen on permanently landing him.

Gerrard’s club have a clause with Barcelona to permanently sign him for £33m, but Wolves also have a good relationship with the La Liga giants, having sent Adama Traore on-loan there in January – with him expected to join permanently in the Summer.

With Wolves having struggled to score goals this season so far, except in the week when they beat Watford 4-0, the club will be hoping to better their tally of just 28 at this stage of the season, next campaign.

However, with two of their most creative players in the shape of Portuguese duo Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves both potentially out of the door, the Midlands club will be looking at potential replacements, as well as forwards with high output in the final third.

Ranking in the top 9% among attacking midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for XG per 90 (0.43), and the top 3% for total shots per 90 (3.58), Coutinho would guarantee goal contributions wherever he ends up next season.

The “phenomenal”