Aston Villa Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho Offer Rejected

Aston Villa have had a bid for Philippe Coutinho rejected.

by Joseph Dempsey

TeamTalk. Paul Lambert is looking to add quality to his young side this month as he seeks to slam the breaks on Villa's slump toward the Premier League relegation zone. 20-year old Coutinho has had to settle as a fringe-player at Inter in recent times and spent last season on loan at La Liga side Espanyol. He has only made eleven appearances for the Italians upon his return to the side. Coutinho's agent, Cacau Barbosa, has confirmed Villa made an approach for the attacking midfielder. He told FC Inter News:

"I can confirm Aston Villa made an enquiry for Coutinho. "They want him, but with all due respect for the proposal made to Philippe, at this moment there is still nothing concrete to suggest an exit from Inter."
Since the departures of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young to Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, Villa have looked short on quality for wing players. During his time at Inter, Coutinho has helped his side to FIFA Club World Cup success in 2010, and also won one Supercoppa Italiana that same year. He has made a total of 27 appearances for Inter in a two year spell, and has scored three times.

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Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.