Reports suggest that Philippe Coutinho is on the verge of departing Aston Villa, as Qatari side Al-Duhail is closing in on a loan deal for the Brazilian midfielder. According to information from Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are underway between Al-Duhail and Villa to finalize the transfer of the former Liverpool player. A loan arrangement is nearing completion, with Al-Duhail prepared to cover Coutinho’s entire salary.
Coutinho has already reached an agreement on personal terms with Al-Duhail, opting for this move over offers from Turkish giants Besiktas and La Liga’s Real Betis.
In the broader context, the 31-year-old has fallen out of favor under manager Unai Emery at Villa Park, primarily due to a lackluster season where he managed just one goal in 22 appearances, grappling with both form and injuries. It’s worth noting that Barcelona holds a 50% sell-on clause, though they might not benefit significantly from this deal, as it is a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer. Coutinho is likely to have departed by the time Emery’s squad returns to action on September 16 for a Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at home.