LONDON, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Aston Villa on Friday confirmed the signing of Philippe Coutinho on loan from FC Barcelona until the end of the current season, subject to the Brazilian passing a medical and being granted a work permit.
The deal also gives Villa the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season and the Premier League club will pay half of the wages of the player who is still Barca's record signing after he cost around 150 million euros from Liverpool in January 2018.
The move sees Coutinho again link up with Villa coach Steven Gerrard after the pair spent two and a half years playing alongside each other at Anfield.
"He has won 63 caps for Brazil, he is a serial winner and he was incredible at Liverpool," commented Gerrard.
Barca were desperate to move the attacking midfielder in this transfer window as they look to lower their wage bill in order to be allowed to inscribe new signing Ferran Torres into their squad. However, even after Coutinho's departure, they still need to see more departures from their squad for the wage ceiling restrictions to allow the former Manchester City player to make his debut.
Friday also saw Kieran Trippier complete his move from reigning LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid to Newcastle United.
The full back becomes the first signing for Newcastle since the club's takeover by a Saudi Arabian backed group. 31-year-old Trippier has cost 12 million pounds (16.25 million U.S. dollars) and although Atletico were keen for the England international to stay, he cited 'family issues' as his reason for wanting to return to the Premier League.
The defender has signed a two and a half-year contract with the option for it to be extended for another year and Newcastle are expected to make further signings in the coming days as they look to avoid relegation. ■
