Galatasaray ‘lines’ Philippe Coutinho on escape route from miserable season at Aston Villa in initial loan deal

Aston Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho is reportedly being watched by Galatasaray before the Turkish transfer window closes on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old has struggled for form this season after Villans turned his temporary Barcelona stay into a permanent one last summer.

Villa signed the Brazilian for £17m after scoring five goals and three assists in 19 Premier League games while on loan at Villa Park in the second half of last campaign.

But the ex-Liverpool star is scoreless in his 20 outings in all competitions.

And according to The Sun, Super Lig side Galatasaray are ready to offer the player an escape route from the Midlands.

It has been said that Okan Buruk’s side want to bring in Coutinho for a first loan deal before the Turkish window closes on February 8.

The report adds that Villa would be willing to allow the player to leave but are hoping to recoup some of the £17million they paid for him.

Coutinho is one of the highest earners at the club, the Brazilian is expected to pocket around £125,000 a week.

The former Bayern Munich loanee has yet to start under Unai Emery in the top flight since the Spaniard took over from Coutinho’s former Reds team-mate Steven Gerrard in the dugout.

His last Premier League start came in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on October 10.

Galatasaray are desperate to strengthen their squad in the coming days as they look to win a first league title since 2019.

The Istanbul giants are nine points clear of rivals Fenerbahce at the top of the standings.

They won a club record 15 consecutive games in all competitions following Sunday’s 2-1 victory over champions Trabzonspor.

The three crucial points is also their 12th consecutive victory in the league.