Aston Villa have completed the sensational loan signing of Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona with an announcement to be made later.
The Brazilian midfielder has agreed to return to the Premier League until the end of the season.
The deal sees Coutinho reunited with his former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard, who is the current coach of Aston Villa.
According to SportsMail, Villa boss Gerrard was the key factor in Coutinho’s decision to sign for Villa given his close relationship with the Anfield legend.
Following talks with Gerrard, attacking midfielder Coutinho was left completely convinced to make a move to Villa Park.
Sportsmail revealed Villa’s efforts to sign Coutinho on Wednesday afternoon and the deal has moved on rapidly since then.
A number of clubs across the Premier League and Europe were willing to sign Coutinho but the influence of Gerrard made the 29-year-old choose Villa.
