Aston Villa will not hurry into a permanent deal for Philippe Coutinho, according to Steven Gerrard, despite the Brazilian’s increasingly remarkable role in his side’s rise up the Premier League table.
Judgments On Coutinho’s Future
Coutinho’s existing agreement at Barcelona has one year left on it, and Gerrard has made no secret of his desire to keep the attacking midfielder beyond the end of the current campaign, with the club already retaining the option to acquire him for £33.4 million.
If the former Liverpool player wants to join Villa, he’ll have to give up a major portion of his £480,000-per-week salary. Coutinho earns a staggering £25 million a year before taxes at Barcelona, but while negotiating the deal, Villa agreed to pay just under 25% of his weekly salaries for six months, about £120,000 a week.
Coutinho’s enormous contract, and whether he wants to see his earnings lowered, will ultimately determine whether Villa makes the transfer permanent. Since joining at Villa Park in January, Coutinho has scored three goals and provided three assists.
Word From Gerrard
Gerrard remarked ahead of his side’s travel to Leeds on Thursday, where they will try to win their third game in a row: “For me, it doesn’t make any sense to make any decisions now. When he’s physically in the right place, when he’s comfortable and happy and enjoying his football, we all know we’re dealing with world-class talent.”
“We just need to keep enjoying him, to keep him healthy from now until the end of the season and I’m sure he’ll help us. To watch him and work with him and see him get back to his top form and enjoy his football again is a pleasure.”
Villa’s 4-0 win over Southampton at the weekend moved them up to 11th place, and Gerrard’s good fortune continues with the return of Lucas Digne, Ezra Konsa, and Carney Chukwuemeka after missing the match against the Saints.
However, Gerrard said that they must avoid complacency as they prepare to face off against Jesse Marsch in his first home game as Leeds manager since Marcelo Bielsa’s dismissal.
Gerrard performed six times for Liverpool at Elland Road and has spoken to his players about the special environment that exists there, which is sure to be heightened by the publicity surrounding Marsch’s arrival.
Gerrard said: “I’m sure he’ll get the Elland Road crowd right behind him – it’s his first home game and we have to be prepared for that. I’m excited to see what he’s going to bring and I think it’s a positive acquisition from Leeds. Leeds was always a place that I was excited to go and play in, and they are a team and a club that I have got the utmost respect for.”
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