Philippe Coutinho has failed to impress for Aston Villa since they made his loan stay permanent last summer.
The attacking midfielder has scored once and failed to register an assist from 22 games this season. Unai Emery has left him out of the squad for the last seven league matches.
The door has opened for the 30-year-old to leave Aston Villa and return to his former club, Vasco da Gama, in the summer.
Vasco da Gama CEO Luiz Mello attended a press conference on Wednesday, relayed by O Dia, where he ‘didn’t rule out’ the option of bringing the Brazil international back to the club.
“We never created the expectation of bringing a specific player. If Philippe Coutinho is willing, available and fulfils all the requirements, he would be very welcome. It is much more on his part to want to return than for us to bring him, just like Alex Teixeira [who returned in 2022],” he said.
The former Liverpool star came up through the ranks of the Brazilian club’s youth system before he was sold to Inter Milan in 2008. He arrived at the San Siro in 2010 after spending two seasons on loan at Vasco da Gama.
According to O Dia, Coutinho ‘fits’ Vasco da Gama, who are searching for an ‘idol and a No.10’ for their squad.
With regards to the Brazilian club’s search for a new No.10, Mello explained: “A No.10 is not easy. Few clubs in Brazil have it. Therefore, you have several ways of playing. A midfielder can play inside or outside. But we will be attentive. We have a very competitive squad.”
