Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Phillipe Coutinho, on loan from Barcelona, with Steven Gerrard’s presence being a factor in the move.
The Brazil international has returned to the Premier League to reunite with his old teammate, now his new manager, in a very high profile coup for Villa.
In a parallel universe, this type of move could have been made in Glasgow with the player in royal blue.
Welcome to Aston Villa Football Club, Philippe Coutinho. pic.twitter.com/5NiotkiMaa
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 11, 2022
In reality, Coutinho to Rangers is a non-starter for very obvious reasons and in the real world is where we will remain.
However, what this move does point out is that Gerrard is now operating in a very different market. From one transfer window to the next, he and his changing circumstances, has gone from securing free transfers for John Lundstram and Fashion Sakala to securing a loan move for Coutinho and reportedly on the brink of a £25 million move for Everton full back, Lucas Digne.
A very stark contrast.
It is this difference that could see Rangers hold on to the likes of Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara, prized assets at Ibrox, especially given the importance of retaining the Scottish Premiership title this season.
In respect of Gerrard, he knows these players, ‘his players’, how good they are and also their values.
A move on one of his former main men cannot be ruled out but with access to far greater resources, the Villa boss is now operating at a much different level that he doesn’t need to focus on his old club.
Whether now or in the Summer, Rangers main men will only leave for top prices, following the precedent of Nathan Patterson’s move to Everton but that ‘Coutinho effect’ could see this month come and go without any further dent in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s squad.
An intriguing three weeks lies ahead.