Corinthians are pressing hard to sign Coutinho from Aston Villa
The Brazilian side are keen to bring the former Barça man back to his homeland
Corinthians remain interested in signing Philippe Coutinho in 2023. The president of the Brazilian club, Duilio Monteiro Alves, has confirmed the interest in the former Barcelona playmaker, who is not going through his best moment at Aston Villa.
"The contact exist and the desire is there, but it is a very difficult deal," he said. "We want the player on loan, but while the transfer window in Europe is open, everything is very difficult. It is still a very premature operation but we have to try."
Corinthians' chances of being able to bring in Coutinho depend on the player, whom Villa have made available, not find any other destination this January.
Once the transfer window in the major European leagues has closed, Corinthians believes their great opportunity could arrive, because, due to Brazilian regulations, Coutinho could join in the coming months.
He could even do so in April, coinciding with Corinthians' debut in the Copa Libertadores de América this season.
Corinthians are negotiating both with Aston Villa and with the player, who is represented by Kia Joorabchian.
Monteiro Alves did not want to reveal that, in the event of a transfer, if Aston Villa would pay part of the salary, but he has assured that the club has the financial conditions to carry out the operation.
In the same interview, the president revealed that the club tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, who was offered the same salary he had at Manchester United.
Coutinho, who is 30 years old, is owned by Aston Villa, who paid 20 million euros to Barça last summer. The Catalan club reserve a part of the benefits of a future sale.
This season, the midfielder, who missed the World Cup due to a muscle injury, has played 16 games and is yet to register a goal or an assist. Coach Unai Emery is not counting on him.
