"There's a good chance" - Journalist drops AVFC transfer claim about NSWE and "world-class" star

Aston Villa have a ‘good chance’ of meeting Philippe Coutinho’s wage demands and completing his permanent move to Villa Park thanks to the financial backing of owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Steven Gerrard was appointed as the Midlands club’s head coach last November and was busy in the January window, resulting in them being Europe’s sixth biggest spenders, but he could look to make further alterations to his squad in the summer.

Coutinho was among those to head to Villa in January, with him joining on an initial loan deal which includes the option of making a permanent switch from Barcelona for £33million.

Barcelona have been told by La Liga that they will be unable to sign players in the summer transfer window unless they sell members of their existing squad or renegotiate less lucrative contracts with their stars, meaning Coutinho is available.

Gerrard has confirmed he wants to see the playmaker remain in the Midlands beyond the end of the season.

A potential stumbling block could be the fact that Coutinho’s Barcelona contract, which is due to expire in the summer of 2023, is worth £380,000-per-week.

That is far beyond the amount Villa’s current top-earner rakes in, with Danny Ings pocketing £120,000 every seven days.

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Jones believes there is still a distinct possibility that Coutinho, who has been described as ‘world-class’ by Gerrard, will remain at Villa beyond the end of the season despite the likelihood of him seeking a lucrative salary.

The transfer insider understands that owners Sawiris and Edens are not in a position to match his current pay package at Barcelona.

However, he feels the Midlands