Talks imminent: Chief sports reporter shares major player update out of Aston Villa

Barcelona are due to speak to Philippe Coutinho’s agents this week amid concerns that Aston Villa won’t activate their £33million option to buy. 

That’s according to Tom Hopkinson, chief sports reporter for the Sunday Mirror and Sunday People, in a story published online on Saturday night.

Villa signed Coutinho on loan in January and agreed a purchase option with the La Liga giants.

Steven Gerrard has selected him in 11 straight starting line-ups, and has been rewarded with four goals and three assists so far (via Transfermarkt).

Coutinho earns £480,000 per week at Barcelona and, as per The Telegraph, will have to take a significant pay-cut if he’s to join permanently.

For context, Villa’s highest earner at present is thought to be Danny Ings on a quarter of that salary.

Barcelona directors will seek imminent discussions with Coutinho’s representatives this week over his future.

They aren’t convinced that Villa will stump up the £33million, and they’re keen to know how much, if anything, the Midlands outfit will pay.

If his intermediaries receive a ‘negative response’ from Villa, they will begin to test the water with other clubs.

The plan is to find a new home for Coutinho as Barcelona look to clear him from the wage bill.

The Brazilian’s performances apparently haven’t been as consistent as Aston Villa hoped since his arrival.

Is this assessment of Coutinho fair?

Even though he only joined midway through the campaign, his tally of seven goal contributions is enough to rank him third in the Villa squad behind Danny Ings (10) and Ollie Watkins (nine). That suggests inconsistency is an issue throughout the squad.

What’s more, his average WhoScored rating of 7.13/10 is the second highest in Gerrard’s ranks after John