Philippe Coutinho is set to join Qatari side Al Duhail from Aston Villa, with a deal between the two clubs in the final stages of being finalised. The Brazilian has fallen down in the pecking order under Unai Emery, especially with the addition of Moussa Diaby this summer. And now, he will be seeking a new challenge away from England in the Middle East.
La Liga club Real Betis and Turkish side Besiktas tried to sign the former Liverpool star, but he accepted the offer from Al Duhail and will be completing his move in the coming days.
Philippe Coutinho to leave Aston Villa for Al Duhail
The Brazilian has not been the same since his move to Barcelona, where he struggled for form. He was loaned out to Bayern from the Catalonian side, with whom he won the treble. But, he was unable to seal a permanent transfer.
He was eventually sold to Villa for a fraction of the fees the Spanish giants paid for him. They will receive no part of the fees that Villa receive for him, with no sell-on clause included in their deal.
In a bid to combat the mass signing of players from Europe by their rivals, Saudi Arabia, Qatari clubs have now stepped up their pursuit of European players. PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is in talks with Al Arabi and could sign for them in the coming days. And soon, Coutinho could follow.
