In need of regular game time, Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho joined Aston Villa on a loan deal in the January window.
The attacking midfielder managed four goals and three assists for Steven Gerrard’s side in the league but has failed to score a goal or register an assist in the last six matches.
On April 26th, Sport reported the La Liga side are worried about the 29-year-old’s drop in form for Aston Villa.
As a part of the agreement between the two clubs, the Villans have an option to make the Brazil international’s stay permanent after the end of this season.
Sport on Tuesday state Aston Villa have a ‘month to decide’ the former Liverpool man’s future, with Gerrard publicly backing the English club to retain the playmaker beyond his current loan deal.
Aston Villa, however, have a decision to make, which is whether or not to pay €40m to Barca to make Coutinho’s stay permanent.
With Gerrard insisting for the South American’s signing, Sport suggest the Premier League side could negotiate a discount on the €40m purchase option.
At Barcelona, they ‘expect a response quickly’ from the English club about their plans for Coutinho.
The Catalan club, for their part, want to resolve the player’s future ‘as quickly as possible’.
