Aston Villa will have to take Philippe Coutinho on an 18-month loan in order to sign him from Barcelona, according to multiple reports in Spain.
Barca want Coutinho stay at Villa Park until June 2023, when his contract with the cash-strapped Blaugrana expires and he can leave for free.
The Villans are said to prefer an initial six-month deal but Barcelona are hoping they can persuade the Birmingham-based club to compromise and take him for longer - both to finally bring an end to his Barca career, but also to help their financial situation.
Steven Gerrard is keen on a reunion with the 29-year-old, who the current Villa boss spent two-and-a-half years playing alongside for Liverpool.
Coutinho left Anfield in January 2018 for an eye-watering £130million-plus, only to struggle during his time at Camp Nou, blighted by injuries and the constant changing of managers at an unstable club.
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But Gerrard's faith in the midfielder remains unwavering, telling reporters on Thursday: "He is someone I've got an incredible amount of respect for, but I don't want to add to speculation because he belongs to Barcelona.
"I don't think you get a nickname of 'The Magician' if you're not a special footballer.
"I've got nothing but positive things to say about the player. He's a friend of mine so if I'm asked the questions I can speak for as long as you want.
"But if you're trying to link it to any speculation or catch me out you're in for a long afternoon."
Fellow Premier League sides Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the Brazilian, who is desperate to make sure he makes the Selecao's squad for this winter's World Cup in Qatar.
"He's won two league titles at Barcelona, two Copa del Reys," his potential new boss went on. "If you go and have a look at his Wikipedia page you'll see a serial winner wherever he goes.
"He's won 63 caps for Brazil, played for Barcelona and was incredible at Liverpool.
"So I can understand why he's linked to a lot of football clubs. I can understand why a lot of supporters up and down the country are speaking about him."
Coutinho spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Bayern Munich and helped them win the Champions League, but the German giants passed on the opportunity to sign him permanently.
Current manager, Xavi Hernandez, has denied speaking to then Brazil international about an exit.
"He has helped us when he has played," Xavi added, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. "To have incomings, there have to be outgoings. We are waiting for the registration of Alves also, and you have to balance things.
"I haven’t spoken with Philippe about the situation."
But his time in Catalunya is almost over.
