Just like it's 2017 again, Philippe Coutinho is a wanted man.
Nearly fourth months into his loan spell at Aston Villa and the Brazilian has been showcasing glimpses as to why Barcelona shelled out an eye-watering £142million for his services five years ago - and piquing the interest of Arsenal. Having failed to truly recapture his Liverpool form following his ill-fated transfer to the Camp Nou, Coutinho ended his Catalan nightmare in January and reunited with Steven Gerrard, the newly-appointed Villa boss.
The midfielder played alongside Gerrard for two-and-a-half years at Anfield, who unsurprisingly had a key role in bringing Coutinho back to the Premier League. But with Villa only paying 25 per cent of his £480,000-per-week wages at present, according to reports, a permanent move in the summer transfer window is far from certain - even after seven direct goal contributions in 10 appearances and an option to buy for £33.4million negotiated into the loan deal.
That's where Mikel Arteta and co come in, with the Gunners potentially boasting the budget to offer the Brazilian a better wage packet and Champions League football, should they fend off bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur as well as Manchester United and hold onto fourth place. But comments made by Coutinho only 10 months after leaving Merseyside speak volumes, hinting at just how much influence Gerrard could have as his "idol."
Naming his dream five-a-side team to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old selected the former Liverpool captain, adding: "Stevie G, that was easy. Again, one of the best I played with. I learned a lot from him. Also, when I arrived here, it was a dream to play with him - I used to watch him in Brazil and play as him on PlayStation.
"Of course he was an idol for me and for everyone who watched him play, but when we were together in the dressing room and you can see him in training, he's better. He's great in everything; passing, shooting, defending," Coutinho affirmed before talking up his leadership qualities.
Join the debate! Should Arsenal sign Coutinho? Give us your verdict here.
It puts Arsenal in a tough position in order to convince the playmaker to cut ties with his hero, who says nothing has been decided on the loanee's future. "For me it doesn't make any sense to make any decisions now," Gerrard recently stated when probed on the topic.
"When he's physically in the right place, when he's comfortable and happy and enjoying his football, we all know we're dealing with a world-class talent. We just need to keep enjoying him, to keep him healthy from now until the end of the season and I'm sure he'll help us.
"To watch him and work with him and see him get back to his top form and enjoy his football again is a pleasure. There are obviously talks behind the scenes on all the players and targets and when the time is right and we have got a decision on it (Coutinho) the Villa fans will be the first people to know."
