Philippe Coutinho set for return to Vasco da Gama
Philippe Coutinho is on the verge of a fairytale return to his boyhood club, Vasco da Gama, after agreeing to a substantial salary cut to leave Aston Villa.
Coutinho Requests Aston Villa Termination
Coutinho has requested the termination of his contract with Aston Villa. Personal terms with Vasco da Gama have already been agreed upon, and the Brazilian club have also agreed to sign two of his friends.
What Happened?
Coutinho is waiting for the formal termination of his Aston Villa contract to become a Vasco da Gama player again, 16 years after leaving the club. Globo reported that an agreement was reached after Coutinho’s representatives started talks two weeks ago. They wanted to secure the agreement before requesting Villa to end his contract. Other Brazilian clubs, including Botafogo, Fluminense, and Gremio, were also interested.
The Bigger Picture
Ending Coutinho’s deal two years early is not expected to be problematic. He spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Al-Duhail in Qatar, having not impressed during his time at Villa Park and being excluded from Unai Emery’s plans. A much-reduced contract is seen as a small price to pay for Coutinho to return home to Rio De Janeiro. He left Vasco as a 16-year-old to move to Europe with Inter Milan.
Did You Know?
Vasco da Gama will support Coutinho in developing his charitable foundation as he seeks to give back to the community. The club has also accepted his request to recruit Souza and Alex Teixeira, both of whom grew up with Coutinho in the Vasco youth ranks. Souza’s contract with Istanbul Basaksehir has been terminated to facilitate the move, while Teixeira, who was a major target for Liverpool during Coutinho’s time there, has been without a club since being released by Vasco in December.
What Next for Coutinho?
After spending half of his life in Europe, this move could be the reset Coutinho needs. He recently turned 32 and still has plenty of football left to play. His arrival should also be a boost to Vasco da Gama, who are struggling just above the relegation zone 12 games into the 2024 Brasileirao season.
