Coutinho joins Villa on loan from Barca
LONDON: Philippe Coutinho is joining Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season from Barcelona, the Premier League club announced yesterday.
The 29-year-old Brazil international moved to the Nou Camp from Liverpool in 2018 in a £142 million deal but struggled to establish himself and spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Bayern Munich.
He won the Champions League with the German club, who beat Barcelona in the quarter-finals of that season’s competition.
The attacking midfielder will link up in Birmingham with Villa boss Steven Gerrard, with whom he played at Liverpool.
“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.”
Villa are 13th in the Premier League after three defeats in four games following a bright start under Gerrard, who took over at Villa Park in November.
Gerrard on Thursday described his former Liverpool teammate as a “special footballer” while refusing to comment on speculation linking him with a move to Villa.
Barcelona said in a statement that Coutinho, who made 106 appearances for the club, was expected to travel to Birmingham in the next few hours.
NEWCASTLE SIGN TRIPPIER
England defender Kieran Trippier became Newcastle’s first signing under their new Saudi owners yesterday after completing his move from Atletico Madrid, with more arrivals expected in the January transfer window.
The 31-year-old full-back has moved back to the Premier League for an undisclosed fee, understood to be in the region of £12 million plus add-ons.
The former Tottenham defender has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and his arrival signals the launch of a new era under Eddie Howe, who was appointed as manager at St James’ Park in November.
“Newcastle United are delighted to confirm the signing of England fullback Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee,” the club said in a statement. “The 31-year-old has agreed terms on a two-and-a-halfyear deal and becomes the first senior signing under the club’s owners and head coach Eddie Howe.”
Trippier, who was signed by Howe in 2012 for former club Burnley during his spell in charge at Turf Moor, won La Liga with Atletico last season but is relishing his return to England.
He said: “I’m delighted to be joining this fantastic club. I really enjoyed my time in Madrid, but when I became aware of interest from Newcastle United, and having worked with Eddie Howe before, I knew this was where I wanted to be.”