By Frank McAvennie

13th May, 2022 | 5:13pm

Pundit issues 'brilliant' Coutinho pay claim as new Aston Villa details emerge

Philippe Coutinho was “desperate” to join Aston Villa on a permanent deal after a successful loan spell.

That’s according to former Villains hitman Frank McAvennie, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the club’s first deal of the summer was confirmed.

On Thursday (12 May) Aston Villa announced the permanent capture of Coutinho, 29, from Barcelona.

As per John Percy (12 May), the Brazilian has taken a 70% pay cut to rejoin the club after a successful loan deal.

McAvennie claims this proves how “desperate” Coutinho was to stay at the club.

“People are forgetting how good he is because he has gone off the boil in the last few weeks,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.

“Look at how good he was when he came in though. He was the driving force at that club.

“Just remember that it is Philippe Coutinho we are talking about, he’s incredible. He signed for Barcelona for a ridiculous amount a few years ago.

“It also sounds like he has taken a pay cut which is brilliant, it shows how desperate he was to join Villa permanently.

“I mean, I get that. He has made his money, he could retire tomorrow and he would be absolutely fine until the day he dies.

“Also, I’m sure he isn’t on pennies at Villa, I don’t think we will see him struggling.

“But it’s a good move for Villa and it’s a good move for the Premier League. After a full pre-season, he will probably be even better next season.”

Coutinho made 106 appearances for Barcelona after joining the club from Liverpool in January 2018.

He also spent time on loan at Bayern Munich after failing to nail down a regular spot at the Catalan giants.

In other news, a finance guru has issued a ‘£13million’ reveal after Aston Villa announcement that will ‘hurt’ fans.