Overview

• Aston Villa and Philippe Coutinho are negotiating a mutual contract termination to enable his free transfer back to Vasco da Gama.
• The departure will remove Coutinho’s remaining year and £125,000-a-week wage from Villa’s financial statements.
• Vasco da Gama has prepared a backup 'Plan B' to secure Coutinho on a short-term loan if a permanent deal cannot be agreed.
• Coutinho excelled during his current loan in Brazil after failing to recapture his best form under Unai Emery at Villa.
• The exit aligns with Villa’s aim to wipe prior PSR cycle losses from their books and reduce ongoing expenses.