Villa wrap up cut-price deal for Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho has accepted a wage cut of more than 70 per cent to complete his £17million return to the Premier League with Aston Villa. Coutinho has sealed a permanent move to join Steven Gerrard’s squad, signing a four-year deal worth about £125,000 a week.

The Brazil international initially signed on loan in January from Barcelona, and Gerrard has pushed to make his former Liverpool teammate a priority recruit.

Coutinho was earning more than £470,000 a week in Spain, before tax, but was so determined to make a return to English football that he agreed a significant drop on his salary with the La Liga club, whom he joined from Liverpool for £142million in January 2018.

“This is a brilliant signing for Aston Villa,” Gerrard said. “Phil is a model professional and his impact on the group has been very clear since he joined in January. With the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch, he’s a valuable role model for our younger players, who can only benefit from his experience.

“It is incredible to work at a club that executes its business so decisively and smoothly.”

Gerrard is preparing for a major overhaul of his squad this summer, with Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips his leading target. Brighton’s Yves Bissouma is also on Villa’s radar, after a £25million offer was rejected in the first week of the January transfer window. The Mali international is widely expected to leave the south-coast club.

Villa are targeting a new left-back to provide competition for £25million defender Lucas Digne, with Rangers’ Calvin Bassey and Bologna’s Aaron Hickey under consideration. Ashley Young and Carney Chukwuemeka have been offered new contracts.