Philippe Coutinho reunites with Steven Gerrard after Villa agree loan and option to buy with Barcelona

The deal also includes an option to buy and the midfielder will link up with Villa boss Steven Gerrard, who he played with at Liverpool, once he has completed a medical and received a work permit.

A statement read: "Aston Villa and FC Barcelona have agreed terms for Philippe Coutinho to spend the rest of this season on loan at Villa Park.

"The agreement, which is subject to the player completing a medical and receiving a work permit, also includes an option to buy and Philippe will travel to Birmingham in the next 48 hours."

Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in 2018 in a deal worth £146million but has struggled for form at the Nou Camp and spent 2019-20 on loan at Bayern Munich.

The Brazil international scored 28 goals in 105 appearances and helped them win LaLiga in 2018 and 2019.