Philippe Coutinho sent Arsenal transfer warning ahead of Aston Villa decision

Philippe Coutinho has been sent a transfer warning by former Liverpool striker Ian Rush about the upcoming decision he will have to make in summer regarding where he plays his football next season.

Coutinho, 29, was reunited with Steven Gerrard in January as he arrived from Barcelona on a season long loan deal, with an option for the move to be made permanent for around £33 million. Despite this option, the deal is not set in stone and following the form he has displayed upon his return to the Premier League, other clubs such as Arsenal are now circling.

Coutinho has scored four goals and recorded three assists in just eight appearances for Aston Villa, which has put clubs such as Arsenal on red alert in the event Villa are unable to complete the deal due.

Rush commented on the prospect of Coutinho moving to the Emirates instead of Villa Park in his latest Gambling.com column. He stated: “Arsenal have been linked with Philippe Coutinho this week on the back his form for Aston Villa and I can see why. Coutinho to Arsenal makes sense.

“But if Coutinho is to stay in the Premier League beyond this season I think he should stick with Aston Villa.

“He seems to have a good rapport with his old Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard and it would be a risk for him to give that up in favour of joining one of the bigger sides.

“If Villa can afford to sign him and want to sign him, I’d like to see him stay and commit to Gerrard’s project there.”

Arsenal will travel to Villa Park this Saturday (12:30pm kick off) as Coutinho looks to fire his side back to winning ways against Mikel Arteta's in form squad who are currently unbeaten in their last six fixtures, but do face a tough challenge in Liverpool this evening.