Coutinho being lined up for loan transfer by Galatasaray after miserable season

PHILIPPE COUTINHO is set to be offered a quick exit from Aston Villa by Galatasaray THIS WEEK.

The Istanbul giants want to bring in the out-of-favour Brazil international before the Turkish transfer window closes on Wednesday.

Galatasaray want Villa to agree to a loan deal, at least on an initial basis.

But the Premier League club will seek to recoup some of the £17m they spent last summer on making the player’s temporary move from Barcelona permanent.

Coutinho was linked with a return to South America last month after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park under new boss Unai Emery.

The former Liverpool star has not managed a single goal or assist this season and is yet to start a Premier League game under Emery.

Coutinho is one of Villa’s highest earners on a salary of about £125,000 per week.

Galatasaray are top of the Turkish top flight and would offer first-team football, with the prospect of European competition next season.

Coutinho was brought to Villa Park by former Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard on loan from Barcelona in January 2022.

After an impressive half a year, he signed permanently last summer but struggled to hit the same heights from the first six months.

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Coutinho has managed only eight starts in his 20 appearances this season and he is still without a goal or assist.

Meanwhile Galatasaray are pulling ahead in the Turkish league, having moved six points ahead of Fenerbahce.

The league leaders are unbeaten in nine and look on course for their first league title in four years, dethroning Trabzonspor.