Philippe Coutinho joins Aston Villa on loan

Philippe Coutinho Joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season from Barcelona, AVFC announced on Friday.

The 29-year-old Brazil international moved to the Nou Camp from Liverpool in 2018 in a £142 million ($192 million) deal but struggled to establish himself and spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Bayern Munich.

The attacking midfielder will link up in Birmingham with former teammate now Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

"Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park,” Villa said in a brief statement.

"The agreement, which is subject to the player completing a medical and receiving a work permit, also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours."

The agreement also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours”, statement confirms.

Also, Aston Villa will now pay around 65% [with taxes] of Philippe Coutinho’s salary. Barcelona have accepted to concede buy option clause, not mandatory.

Meanwhile, Villa manager Gerrard praised his old Liverpool teammate as a "great footballer" on Thursday, but declined to comment on reports linking him with a move to Villa.

Coutinho, who has 106 appearances for Barcelona, is scheduled to go to Birmingham in the next few hours, according to the club.