Aston Villa refuse to release player – Club expect transfer desire will ‘weigh positively in negotiations’

Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho Faces Uncertain Future as Vasco da Gama Push for Loan Extension

Philippe Coutinho’s future remains uncertain as his loan spell at Brazilian club Vasco da Gama approaches its scheduled conclusion at the end of this month. The 33-year-old attacking midfielder returned to his homeland on a temporary basis last summer in search of more regular playing time and a career revival, and there has since been growing momentum from Vasco da Gama’s camp to keep him at the club longer.

 

In recent weeks, high-ranking officials at Vasco da Gama—including CEO Carlos Amodeo, head coach Fernando Diniz, and newly appointed sporting director Adamar Lopes—have all publicly expressed their desire to retain Coutinho’s services beyond the initial loan period. The club sees the former Liverpool and Barcelona star as a valuable asset both on and off the pitch.

 

Coutinho is still under contract with Aston Villa until the summer of 2026. However, speculation in the Brazilian media has suggested that the veteran playmaker could potentially negotiate an early release from his Villa Park contract to make a permanent switch to Vasco da Gama. That scenario, however, has not yet materialized.

 

According to a report from Terra, attempts to reach a mutual agreement between Coutinho and Aston Villa for a contract termination have so far been unsuccessful. As a result, Vasco da Gama are now reportedly activating a “plan B”—seeking to extend the loan deal until the end of the calendar year, giving all parties more time to negotiate a longer-term solution.

 

The report also highlights that Coutinho is eager to remain at Vasco. His personal desire to continue playing in Brazil is expected to influence the outcome of ongoing discussions. Nevertheless, the final decision hinges on whether Aston Villa are willing to be flexible in facilitating a new agreement.

 

Adding further insight into the situation, Brazilian journalist Joel Silva—via Bolavip Brasil—revealed that Coutinho’s agent is currently engaged in direct negotiations with Aston Villa. Despite those talks, the Premier League club is said to be “resisting” any attempts to release Coutinho from his deal prematurely. Manager Unai Emery and the Villa hierarchy appear reluctant to terminate a contract that still has a year and a half remaining.

 

Silva also points out a strategic option for Vasco da Gama: extending Coutinho’s loan until December 2025. This would allow the club to avoid paying a transfer fee, as they could then secure the player on a free transfer when his contract officially expires. Additionally, Vasco would be eligible to begin pre-contract negotiations with Coutinho as early as January next year.

 

For now, the situation remains fluid. While Coutinho’s preference is clear, the path forward will depend on whether Aston Villa and Vasco da Gama can find common ground on a new loan deal. With time running out on the current agreement, both sides will be working quickly behind the scenes to find a mutually beneficial solution before the window closes.