Aston Villa are expected to close a deal for Philippe Coutinho in the ‘next few hours’ after an agreement with Barcelona was finalised.
That’s according to Cuatro, who say there is a ‘total agreement’ between the two sides for a €20m transfer to take place this summer.
The website states that an agreement has been closed to sell Coutinho to Aston Villa on a permanent basis for €20m rather than the €40m figure that was included in his loan deal in the January transfer window.
It means Barcelona are ‘very close to getting rid’ of one of their biggest headaches ahead of another summer overhaul.
Coutinho did not fit into the team or manager Xavi’s future plans, and the club had to find a way to get him off the books, which they have now done.
An agreement over a permanent transfer to Aston Villa ‘has been closed’, with Barca accepting a €20m figure as they were aware it would be difficult to sell the player for a bigger price elsewhere.
The sale will instead allow them to free up around €30/40m in salary, something that is vital for Barcelona to do their own business this summer.
