Newcastle darken Aston Villa’s doorstep as Philippe Coutinho intentions laid out

Aston Villa have got serious rivals to sign Philippe Coutinho after Newcastle reportedly threw their hat into the ring.

What is more the Geordies, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) are understood to be ready to pay the going rate for the midfielder. The news, via Goal, will not be welcomed at Villa Park, with their boss Steven Gerrard intent on signing the 29-year-old.

Gerrard, who played with Coutinho at Liverpool, took a gamble on the Brazilian in January.

Aston Villa landed the player on loan until the end of the season, with a purchase option thrown in. That option, according to The Atheltic sits at £34m, but Villa are reluctant to meet that price tag.

Gerrard undoubtedly wants to keep Coutinho, who started well at Villa Park.

He has since faded, but has still made 15 appearances, collecting four goals and three assists.

“I think you all know what my decision would be,” Gerrard said in March, when asked about Coutinho. “There is obviously an option in place, Barcelona still own the player. Phil has got to obviously want to be here in terms of the big picture but he is enjoying his football and looks happy and settled.

“I know the owners are very ambitious, so we will just analyse it as we go along. But if it was totally on me and it was my cash you know what I would do.”

Villa are understood to be paying just 25 per cent of Coutinho’s mammoth wages at Barcelona. The former Liverpool man is under contract for another season at the Camp Nou, but he has accepted he will move on this summer.

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