Steven Gerrard agrees with Christian Purslow as Aston Villa hatch Philippe Coutinho transfer plan

Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard claims sealing the permanent transfer of Philippe Coutinho can "help attract" more top additions to the club this summer.

Gerrard and the Villa recruitment. team are already planning for the summer window opening in July. Reports claim defensive reinforcements as well as a holding midfielder are at top of Gerrard's wish-list. The likes of Yves Bissouma and Kalvin Phillips are reportedly on the club's radar, while the permanent signing of Coutinho will also be discussed at the end of the season, when his loan move from Barcelona expires.

Villa have an option to buy the Brazilian for £33 million, and Gerrard claims his former Liverpool team-mate could boost the appeal of the club for other transfer targets. He said: "Phil is in a top place. He’s in magical form and people enjoy watching him. The players are loving working and playing with him, we’re enjoying coaching him, and you can hear the support for him.

“Could a strong end to the season help us with our recruitment? I don’t think it can do us any harm. But in the last window we managed to attract Coutinho and Lucas Digne and we attracted them [when we were] in the bottom half of the league. So, credit to the recruitment lads who, first and foremost, identified those players because they have made this group a lot better. Having names like that come through the door can help attract further additions.

“The most pleasing thing for me has been the support I’ve had from the top, it’s been really impressive. Finishing the season high and strong can only be a benefit in my opinion.”

The Villa head coach's comments echo what club chief executive Christian Purslow had to say regarding transfers back in January. He said: "We're looking