Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League and now they are looking to take care of their transfer business this summer.
Their season on the pitch has been a hugely successful one as they finished above Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United.
Since his arrival, Emery has turned the team’s fortunes and made them a competitive force.
Now they need clever business this summer in order to become more competitive and balance their books due to financial fair play concerns.
They have reportedly decided to get rid of one of their highest earners in Philippe Coutinho.
According to a report from the Football Insider, there is no way back for the Brazilian at Villa Park and Emery wants to cut his team’s losses by letting the midfielder leave the club permanently.
Villa are worried about their financial issues and they might need to sell a big name player in order to balance their books.
It remains to be seen who that player is going to be but Coutinho, who has a contract at the club that runs till 2026, will be offloaded this summer.
The Brazilian is currently on a on £135,000-a-week salary package at Villa Park (via Salary Sport).
The report states that Coutinho is likely to head back to his country after a loan spell at Al-Duhail in the Qatar Stars League, where he scored three goals and provided two assists in 16 games.
The former Liverpool midfielder’s £17million move to Villa Park from Barcelona has been a huge disappointment.
Aston Villa are targeting a move for Ross Barkley
In another report from the Football Insider, the Midlands club is looking to sign Luton Town midfielder Ross Barkley.
Emery’s team have already opened talks with the English midfielder who enjoyed a successful campaign in the Premier League with Luton, despite his team’s relegation to the Championship.
After scoring five goals and providing four assists in 32 Premier League matches last season, Barkley has attracted attention from a number of clubs in England.
