Philippe Coutinho ‘agrees to QUIT Aston Villa as he nears transfer exit after flop spell’

PHILIPPE COUTINHO has agreed to QUIT Aston Villa for the Middle East, according to reports.

But the transfer has not been cleared by Villa at this stage.

The Brazilian playmaker, 31, is surplus to requirements in the West Midlands under Unai Emery.

And he has successfully negotiated personal terms to move to Qatari club Al-Duhail.

However, Fabrizio Romano reports the Villans are yet to accept the deal as they hold out for a transfer fee.

It is understood talks are still going on but Al-Duhail are desperate to get Coutinho over the line.

Coutinho still has three years left on his £125,000-a-week contract at Villa Park.

But he has been named on the bench for the club’s opening two Premier League games of the season.

However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the 4-0 win over Everton and could be sidelined for up to a month.

And that could therefore mean Coutinho has played his final game for Villa.

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The star initially joined on loan from Barcelona in 2022 to work under former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard.

He made the switch permanent last summer for around £17million.

But he managed just one goal and no assists in 2022-23, not featuring after February 18 with just one appearance on the bench in that time.

Coutinho made a name for himself at Inter Milan and signed for Liverpool in January 2013, shining at Anfield for five years before a massive £145m transfer to Barcelona.

It did not work out as planned at the Nou Camp, though, leading to a loan to Bayern before returning to England.

Now Coutinho looks set to join Al-Duhail.

The Doha-based club have made a perfect start to the new season with two wins from two to sit top of the table.

There are no real household names in the current squad, with Portuguese defender Ruben Semedo arguably the most famous star.

Ex-Leeds man Rodrigo, Sofiane Boufal and Romain Saiss all ply their trade in the Qatar Stars League – although PSG midfielder Marco Verratti could also be on his way.

Villa have already sold Marvelous Nakamba, Wesley and Aaron Ramsey this summer with Ashley Young headlining a long list of released players.

Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby are the key arrivals, with Nicolo Zaniolo also joining on loan from Galatasaray.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk