From Barcelona To Aston Villa: Coutinho, Here We Go!

Philippe Coutinho (Instagram @fabriziorom)

JAKARTA - The mystery of Philippe Coutinho's future has finally been answered. The Barcelona playmaker is now officially back in England to defend Aston Villa.

This news answers Coutinho's situation, which has been hanging around in Barcelona for the past two seasons. Coutinho was marginalized because he was not included in Ernesto Valverde's game plan, even in the era of coach Xavi Hernandez he also only got a few playing minutes.

Coutinho's arrival at Aston Villa was reported by European transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Through an upload on his Instagram account, Romano shared a photo of Coutinho in Aston Villa's uniform.

"Coutinho > Villa here we go!" wrote Romano completing the upload.

In a statement, Romano said Coutinho moved to Aston Villa not on a permanent purchase status. The player was recruited to the club on loan.

The Villans borrowed Coutinho for a duration of six months. However, Romano did not explain whether there was an option for Villa to make the playmaker permanent.

With Coutinho's transfer, Aston Villa has also officially accepted the obligation to pay most of the player's salary. While the rest, based on the agreement, will be paid by Coutinho's club, Barcelona.

This Coutinho move was not only reported by Romano. Through their official page on Instagram, Aston Villa have even welcomed the player as a new member of the team.

"Welcome @phil.Coutinho! Aston Villa and Barcelona have reached an agreement to spend the remainder of the season on loan at Villa Park," wrote Aston Villa.

Welcome, Philippe Coutinho! Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park. ️

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 7, 2022

Instagram.com/@avfcofficial