Philippe Coutinho is heading to Qatar! Former Liverpool star and Barcelona flop finds new club with ill-fated Aston Villa spell coming to an end
Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho is reportedly set to leave Aston Villa, with Qatari side Al-Duhail closing in on a loan for the Brazilian.
WHAT HAPPENED? According to Fabrizio Romano,the Qatari outfit is in talks with Villa to find an agreement over the transfer of the former Liverpool player. A loan deal is close to being agreed, with Al-Duhail set to cover his entire wages.
Coutinho has already agreed to personal terms with the club after rejecting offers from Turkish giants Besiktas and La Liga outfit Real Betis.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The 31-year-old has slipped down the pecking order under Unai Emery at Villa Park after scoring just one goal in 22 games during the previous season, where he struggled with both form and injury. Barcelona have a 50 per cent sell-on clause but the Blaugrana are not likely to benefit since it is a loan deal rather than a permanent transfer.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT? Coutinho will likely be gone when Emery's men return to action next on September 16 against Crystal Palace in a Premier League fixture at home.
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