Philippe Coutinho faces ‘dark future’ at Aston Villa as Brazilian giants eye rescue mission | OneFootball

Brazilian club Corinthians are willing to rescue Philippe Coutinho from a ‘dark future’ at Aston Villa, according to a report.

Coutinho joined Villa from Barcelona earlier this year, signing permanently after a pretty decent loan spell in the second half of 2021-22.

The 30-year-old’s start to permanent life in the Midlands has not been great. In 13 appearances this term, he has zero goal contributions.

Unsurprisingly, Coutinho was not included in Brazil’s World Cup squad, so did not experience quarter-final heartbreak in Qatar.

Coutinho was brilliant for Liverpool between 2013 and 2018, earning himself a €135million transfer to Barcelona.

It did not work out for him in Catalonia, experiencing loan spells at Bayern Munich and Villa before eventually ending his Barcelona nightmare last summer.

Coutinho’s career has gone horrifically downhill since leaving Anfield and the opportunity to play at Villa Park did seem to be a promising one.

He is nowhere near the level he once was and already looks like a poor piece of business after joining the Premier League side for €20m.

The 69-cap Brazilian could perhaps seek another move with his time at Villa not going to plan.

And according to Spanish publication Sport, Corinthians are interested in bringing Coutinho back to his home country.

The report states that Coutinho has a ‘dark future’ at Villa Park, with Unai Emery’s appointment ‘not helping his cause’.

Former boss Steven Gerrard played with Coutinho at Liverpool and brought him back to the Premier League this year.

Corinthians are said to have a ‘great relationship’ with the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian.

However, the Brazilian club may struggle to pay a transfer fee to sign the playmaker, and even a loan move could be too much money.

Barcelona could receive some cash if Coutinho leaves Villa with a 50 per cent on any transfer profit clause included in the summer transfer.

This would only come into effect if the deal is worth more than €20m, which does seem pretty unlikely.

Before joining Villa, Flamengo tried to sign Coutinho and the 30-year-old ‘liked the idea’ of returning to Brazil.

Transfermarkt, a far cry from the €135m Barca paid to sign him in 2018.