Aston Villa have golden chance to offload forgotten star as manager ‘believes’ move will materialise, because he is not part of his plan
Aston Villa Could Finally Part Ways with Philippe Coutinho as Vasco da Gama Push for Permanent Deal
Aston Villa may finally have a realistic opportunity to move on from Philippe Coutinho this summer, with his current loan club Vasco da Gama expressing strong interest in keeping the Brazilian playmaker on a permanent basis. The 32-year-old has found a new lease of life back in Brazil, and both the player and the club appear eager to continue the partnership.
Coutinho, once one of Europe’s most feared attacking midfielders, returned to his boyhood club last July in what was seen as a sentimental and potentially career-reviving loan move. The former Liverpool and Barcelona star has seemingly settled in well in Rio de Janeiro, becoming an influential figure for Vasco after years of struggling to find form and consistency in Europe.
Despite an injury-hit career in recent years, Coutinho has managed to deliver five goals and three assists during his time with Vasco, underlining his importance to the team’s attacking efforts. His impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by the club’s hierarchy, with Vasco now determined to keep the former Brazil international beyond the initial loan spell.
Vasco da Gama’s CEO, Carlos Amodeo, recently spoke about Coutinho’s situation, confirming that the club has initiated formal talks with the player’s representatives in hopes of securing a longer-term deal. According to Amodeo, there is a shared desire between the player and the club to reach an agreement before his current terms expire.
“We’ve already opened discussions with Coutinho’s agent to move forward with contract negotiations,” Amodeo said in comments published by ESPN. “Philippe has been adapting very well to Brazilian football again, and he’s proving to be a crucial part of our squad. We hope that, when the league resumes, he’ll already have a new contract in place and can continue contributing to our team.”
Coutinho’s current loan arrangement with Vasco is set to expire at the end of June. Meanwhile, his contract with parent club Aston Villa runs until the summer of 2026, though it’s widely believed that Villa are open to offloading him permanently after he failed to live up to expectations in the Premier League. Since signing for Villa in May 2022, Coutinho has made only 43 appearances and hasn’t featured in a competitive match for the club in nearly two years.
After a disappointing stint in Qatar with Al-Duhail, where he was sent on loan prior to joining Vasco, Coutinho’s career trajectory continued to slide. The high-profile move from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018—once worth over £140 million—never reached its potential, and he has struggled to recapture the dazzling form that once made him one of the most exciting talents in world football.
However, in his home country and at a club that nurtured his early development, Coutinho seems to be rediscovering some of that lost spark. Vasco manager Fernando Diniz has also expressed his full backing for the permanent signing, saying he believes all parties are aligned in their desire to make the deal happen.
“I’m confident that things will progress and Philippe will stay with us,” Diniz told reporters in a recent press conference, as cited by Sport Witness. “This is something he wants, something the club wants, and certainly something the fans want. Personally, I’ve always admired Philippe—first for his talent and now even more as a person. He brings humility and quality, which is rare to find at this level. Players like him are a true asset to Brazilian football.”
With all sides seemingly pulling in the same direction, a permanent move to Vasco da Gama could mark the next chapter in Coutinho’s rollercoaster career. For Aston Villa, it represents a chance to finally cut ties with a player who never truly fit into their long-term plans—while for Vasco, it’s an opportunity to secure a player with star quality, leadership, and a deep connection to the club.
As negotiations continue behind the scenes, both Villa and Vasco will be hoping to conclude a deal that suits all parties before the start of the new season.