Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Journalist: Coutinho signing could tempt La Liga champion to join Aston Villa this month
(Friday, 10.55AM) that Aston Villa’s move to land Philippe Coutinho on loan, could convince Everton left-back Lucas Digne to join the club – although his preference is London.
Villa announced the signing of Coutinho, 29, on Friday morning. The 63-time Brazil international has joined Villa on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent arrival. He is set to jet in for a medical soon.
It is a real coup for Villa. Meanwhile, Villa are likely to be after a left-back to bring in competition for Matty Targett. that Villa are interested in signing Everton’s ostracised ace Digne.
However, the likes of Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle are also being linked with Digne. Speaking about Digne and interest from Villa, Crook says Villa do want him – and that Coutinho could help. But he does prefer London.
“I was hearing last night,” Crook said. “They want a left-back. They are tracking Digne. His preference prefers to be London, but the arrival of a stellar name in Coutinho might just convince Digne, Villa is an attractive proposition.”
Crook on Digne: Could Coutinho convince Everton star to join Villa?
Without a doubt. The signing of Coutinho is a massive coup and it shows the direction Villa are heading. Indeed, Steven Gerrard has made a decent start – winning four of his eight league games, but losing the other four.
Three of those four losses were against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. The signing of Coutinho will strengthen Villa’s top-half hopes, as does Gerrard. So, surely, La Liga champion Digne could be tempted?
