‘Optimism’ Aston Villa signing done ‘either today or tomorrow’ – ‘In final stretch’, ‘finalising details’

Aston Villa are ‘finalising the details’ of the agreement with Barcelona to sign Philippe Coutinho on loan this month.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who say there is ‘optimism’ that the deal will be completed ‘either today or tomorrow.’

They explain that at the moment, the clubs are still discussing ‘specific points’ but already have the basis of an agreement after Coutinho agreed to move to Villa Park.

Barcelona believe that the operation is ‘already underway’ and that it should be finalised sooner rather than later, but there is one sticking point.

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The Catalans want to include a mandatory purchase clause in any loan deal, which was also reported by Sport, but Aston Villa do not want it to be ‘compulsory’ and are ‘resisting’ that for now.

There is the basis of an agreement, though, as Barcelona want to get rid of Coutinho’s wages, the player wants to leave the Nou Camp and be with Gerrard, and Aston Villa are ready to make a deal happen.

They want it on their terms and so are resisting the purchase clause being a mandatory one, while they also don’t want to take over his entire wage packet, which is ‘high’.

It is those two points upon which the clubs are ‘finalising details’, but there is growing confidence, particularly from Barcelona, that Coutinho will end up at Aston Villa in the near future and their negotiations are ‘in the final stretch’.