Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona playmaker Phillipe Coutinho as Steven Gerrard looks elsewhere amid links to the likes of Rangers star Joe Aribo.
Much has been made about Stevie G potentially raiding his former Ibrox side for signings in this window as he looks to bolster the squad at Villa Park and leave his own mark on it.
But in moving for the likes of Brazilian playmaker Phillipe Coutinho, it shows that Aston Villa are shopping in a completely different market from Rangers when it comes to buying or selling.
According to the Guardian, Aston Villa have contacted the representatives of Coutinho with a view to a loan move with the player starting only five matches for Barcelona this season.
However, it’s clear Villa aren’t the only ones looking at the ex-Liverpool midfielder with a host of Premier League clubs also interested in the player.
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard makes Phillipe Coutinho move amid Rangers links
Ex-Rangers boss Steven Gerrard was a former teammate of the talented playmaker’s during their time at Liverpool together, with Phillipe Coutinho famously moving to Barca for an initial £106m in January 2018 [Guardian].
Signing the 29-year-old – who currently has Covid-19 – would be a major coup for Aston Villa and signal the beginning of the ex-Rangers manager putting his stamp on the squad at Villa Park.
But with Gerrard and co expected to be backed heavily in the transfer market, moves such as this perhaps represent good news for Rangers.
Reports at the end of December claimed Aston Villa were considering a move for Rangers’ Nigerian international Joe Aribo, whilst the likes of Ryan Kent have also been linked to the Birmingham club.
If Aston Villa are setting their sights on the likes of Phillipe Coutinho instead, Rangers can perhaps breathe a little easier heading into the second half of the season.
In other news, Rangers have reportedly made their move for a Scotland international defender the club have a “vested interest” in.
