Philippe Coutinho looks set to be on his way back to his home country, Brazil. Approaching the twilight of his career, the 31-year-old plays soccer in Qatar for Al-Duhail SC. He is tied to a contract with Premier League side, Aston Villa who allowed him to leave on a loan deal in September 2023 to Qatar. Playing in the Middle East, Coutinho has found the back of the net six times in 23 appearances.
🇧🇷 Coutinho’s Liverpool days! 🥶🚀 pic.twitter.com/knWjGcUVC0
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 27, 2023
Developing through the youth ranks at the Brazilian club, Vasco da Gama, Coutinho caught the eyes of the world for his creativity, technicality, and flair. The 31-year-old traveled Europe, playing for several clubs- Inter Milan, Espanyol, Liverpool, FC Barcelona, and finally Aston Villa. Praised for his versatility, Coutinho can play in the midfield, on the wings, and a supporting role behind the striker. His set-piece prowess further added to his vast range of skills, making him a valuable asset for any team he played for.
Vasco da Gama nearing a move for Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho seemingly is on the verge of completing his soccer cycle by joining his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama. Surplus to demands at Aston Villa, it is no surprise that the former Liverpool man is exploring his options in the latter stages of his career. According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, Vasco da Gama is in advanced talks to get the transfer over the line. The transfer will be hoped to be conducted seamlessly, considering the player’s desire to move back to Brazil.
💢🇧🇷 Vasco da Gama are advancing in talks with Philippe Coutinho’s camp to bring him back to the club.
Vasco, increasingly confident as Coutinho is keen on the move. pic.twitter.com/Y4fwjYtttR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 26, 2024
It is rumored that Coutinho agreed to an early mutual termination of his contract with Aston Villa that was originally bound to expire in 2026. This permits the player to engage in direct talks with other clubs for a free transfer. Philippe Coutinho would be aware of the fact that his performances have dropped in recent seasons and has hence sought a move to Vasco da Gama in Brazil where he will able to enjoy his soccer without any unwanted scrutiny roaming around him.
Philippe Coutinho’s inconsistent career in Europe
Playing for Inter Milan in the early years of the last decade, Coutinho was regarded as one of the most promising talents in the world. His performances earned him a move to the Premier League with Liverpool capturing his signature. It was at Anfield, where the midfielder enjoyed the best phase of his soccer career. During a time when Liverpool was undergoing a transitional phase, Coutinho was one of the few regular performers at the Merseyside club.
When JĂĽrgen Klopp said this to Philippe Coutinho in 2017 before he left to Barcelona đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/aAStoSHYii
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 7, 2022
In 2018, Coutinho’s time in Europe took a massive turn with his move to Spanish giants, FC Barcelona. In the hope of becoming one of the most recognized players in the world, Coutinho agreed to leave his beloved Liverpool for the Blaugranas.
Unfortunately for him, several factors led to a completely different scenario where Coutinho found himself playing from the bench more often than not. Following his horrible time at Camp Nou, the midfielder spent his time at Bayern Munich and Aston Villa but was never able to recover his true form again.