Philippe Coutinho appears to be nearing the end of his tenure at Aston Villa. The Brazilian midfielder, who once dazzled at Liverpool, has faced a turbulent period in his career since his high-profile transfer to Barcelona for a staggering £142 million in January 2018. Reports now suggest that Coutinho is on the brink of returning to his roots by rejoining his first professional club.
Coutinho’s move to Barcelona was initially heralded as a major coup for the Catalan giants. His arrival was expected to fill the void left by Neymar’s departure and to bolster their attacking options. However, the reality fell short of these expectations. Coutinho struggled to adapt to Barcelona’s style of play and the immense pressure that came with his hefty price tag. Despite moments of brilliance, consistency eluded him, and he found himself increasingly sidelined.
Barcelona, facing mounting financial pressures and underwhelming performances from Coutinho, opted to send him on loan to Bayern Munich for the 2019-2020 season. At Bayern, he experienced a resurgence of sorts, contributing to their treble-winning campaign. Yet, even his improved form wasn’t enough to warrant a permanent transfer, and he returned to Barcelona, where his struggles resumed.
In a bid to revive his career, Coutinho made a surprising move to Aston Villa in January 2022, reuniting with his former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, who was then managing the club. The transfer was seen as a potential masterstroke, given their history and Coutinho’s proven Premier League pedigree. However, his performances at Villa Park failed to meet the high expectations. Although there were flashes of his old self, injuries and inconsistency marred his stint, leading to a loan spell at Qatari club Al-Duhail for the 2023-2024 season.
As of now, Coutinho appears surplus to requirements at Aston Villa, despite having two years left on his contract. Reports indicate that the club is contemplating terminating his contract to facilitate his return to Brazil, specifically to Vasco da Gama, where he began his professional journey and made 31 appearances. Sources from the Brazilian outlet Trivela claim that an agreement is contingent upon the termination of his contract with Villa.
Adding to the intrigue, Coutinho has reportedly been in Rio de Janeiro since last Friday, which has intensified speculation about his imminent return to Vasco da Gama. However, Aston Villa’s management is reportedly hesitant to release him without recouping some of their investment, given the £17 million they spent to secure his services.
The plot thickens with the potential involvement of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool. FSG has been linked with the purchase of Vasco da Gama, a club currently in disarray, ranked 13th in the Brazilian top flight and entangled in legal and financial troubles. A judge recently stripped control from 777 Partners, who own 70% of the club. FSG’s interest in expanding their portfolio to include Vasco da Gama has gained traction, particularly following their appointment of former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards as CEO of football.
This multifaceted situation underscores the complexities of Coutinho’s career trajectory and the broader implications for the clubs involved. While Coutinho’s return to Vasco da Gama would mark a homecoming, it also highlights the harsh realities of football, where immense talent and potential do not always translate into sustained success. For Aston Villa, releasing Coutinho would signify an end to a costly gamble that didn’t pay off. For Coutinho, a return to familiar grounds could provide the platform needed to rekindle his form and restore his standing in the football world. Meanwhile, the potential acquisition of Vasco da Gama by FSG adds an extra layer of intrigue to this unfolding saga, hinting at significant changes on the horizon for all parties involved.