“It’s a dream come true to come back to Anfield. I would love to win more with this club” – Philippe Coutinho is poised for an emotional return as Liverpool’s owners, FSG, are reportedly ‘plotting’ a deal.

The Aston Villa playmaker is nearing a departure.

Philippe Coutinho might return to his former club during the summer transfer window. Since leaving Liverpool in January 2018 for a record fee of £142 million to join Barcelona, Coutinho has faced a challenging period.

While Liverpool used the funds to secure Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, and Fabinho, achieving Champions League and Premier League success, Coutinho struggled at Barcelona and had a loan spell at Bayern Munich.

Coutinho then moved to Aston Villa to reunite with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who was managing the Premier League club. However, he could not replicate his previous form and spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Al-Duhail.

Now, Coutinho appears surplus to requirements at Villa Park, despite having two years left on his contract. Reports suggest his contract with Unai Emery’s side might be terminated, and he may return to Brazil to rejoin Vasco da Gama, where he started his career and made 31 appearances.

According to Brazilian outlet Trivela, an agreement with Coutinho has been reached, pending the termination of his Villa contract. It is also reported that Coutinho has been in Rio de Janeiro since last Friday, though Villa is somewhat resistant after paying £17 million for him.

Interestingly, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has been linked with purchasing Vasco da Gama, currently 13th in the Brazilian top flight.

777 Partners, who own 70% of Vasco, have had control taken off them by a judge due to ongoing legal and financial issues. FSG, looking to expand their portfolio, might be a potential suitor, especially after bringing former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards back as their CEO of football.