Barcelona's first 2022/23 player sale has reportedly been confirmed.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Premier League club Aston Villa will soon confirm the permanent signing of Philippe Coutinho, who is currently on loan at the Villans from the Catalan giants.
The Brazil international is said to be closing in on a €20 million (R339 million) switch to the Villans, with manager and ex-Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard recently saying he hopes Coutinho will stay on with his side for next season.
Official statement expected very soon for Philippe Coutinho to join Aston Villa on a permanent deal. Agreement completed yesterday, part of paperworks already signed few hours ago. ?????? #AVFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2022
Barcelona will receive around €20m, included in this year financial balance.
Coutinho became the Blaugrana's most expensive signing ever in January 2018, but, after a promising start to life in Spain, he found it difficult to live up to expectations.
German giants Bayern Munich took him on loan for the 2019/20 campaign and decided against signing him permanently, a decision that saw him return to Barca for the 2020/21 season.
Still unable to establish himself in the squad, Coutinho went into the current campaign viewed as a squad player by Ronald Koeman, who was later sacked and replaced by Xavi Hernandez.
The Spaniard's arrival changed little about the ex-Liverpool superstar's situation in LaLiga before he secured a loan move to Villa this past January, with the playmaker having so far contributed to seven goals in 16 appearances in England.
