Corinthians is putting a lot of pressure on Aston Villa to sell Coutinho.

hilippe Coutinho is still a target for Corinthians in 2023. Duilio Monteiro Alves, the president of the Brazilian team, has acknowledged the interest in the former Barcelona playmaker, who is not having his finest season at Aston Villa right now.

The desire is there, and there is contact, but the transaction is really challenging, he added. “While the European transfer window is open, it is quite challenging to get the player on loan. Even though the surgery is still extremely early, we must attempt.”

The likelihood that Corinthians will be able to sign Coutinho depends on the player not finding a new home in January. Villa has made the player available.

Corinthians feels that their big chance may come after the main European leagues’ transfer windows shut since Coutinho may sign with them soon owing to Brazilian restrictions.

He may even do it in April, the same month that Corinthians makes their Copa Libertadores de América debut this year.

Both Aston Villa and the player, who is being represented by Kia Joorabchian, are in negotiations with Corinthians.

Monteiro Alves refused to say if Aston Villa will cover some of the wages in the case of a transfer, but he did guarantee that the team had the resources to carry out the transaction.

The team attempted to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo, who was given the same wage as at Manchester United, according to the club president’s admission in the same interview.

Aston Villa, who last summer paid 20 million euros to Barça, is the owner of Coutinho, a 30-year-old player. The rewards of a potential sale are reserved for the Catalan club.

The midfielder has played 16 games this season but hasn’t scored or provided an assist. He missed the World Cup due to a muscular issue. Unai Emery, the coach, is not relying on him.