Liverpool stance on stunning Coutinho return as Barcelona could rip up Aston Villa agreement

Philippe Coutinho is set to leave Barcelona permanently this summer, with reports suggesting there will be no lack of suitors for his signature.

Aston Villa are currently the frontrunners after the Brazilian joined the club on loan from the La Liga giants back in January. Villa also have an option to buy the playmaker at the end of the season for a fee reported to be £33million.

Though, the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have also been mentioned as possible destinations for Coutinho to play out the final years he has at the top of his game, as he'll turn 30 before the start of next season. Reports have also suggested his former employers Liverpool are 'open' to him returning to Anfield.

Coutinho has been a revelation at Villa Park, scoring four and assisting three in his 10 appearances so far. Coutinho has, though, been a little quiet in Villa's most-recent games with West Ham and Arsenal, but head coach Steven Gerrard - who's desperate to sign his former teammate - said: "He's human. At times he's been outstanding."

The 29-year-old has also signalled that he is enjoying life at Villa. Speaking to Brazilian TV, Coutinho said: "I had a change of club and I was very welcomed by all the players, members of staff and the fans. So I'm in an amazing place right now and I'm very happy to be there."

But Villa know that if Coutinho continues to catch the eye from now until the end of the season and his form improves still, they won't be alone in the race to sign him. Despite joining Barcelona for £142million just over four years ago from Liverpool, his £33million price tag could be a snip considering the quality he has shown in the Premier League previously.

And according to Spanish outlet SPORT, Villa could even