Vasco's board of directors is apprehensive about Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho's stay at Vasco is still on the agenda, with negotiations underway just days before the end of his current contract. The midfielder, on loan from Aston Villa until Monday (June 30), has not yet had his contract formally terminated with the English club. Given this impasse, the Vasco board is already working on an alternative: a new loan until December, considered plan B until the termination is completed.

Since his return to the Rio de Janeiro club, Coutinho has shown interest in staying. The player, who recently opened the Philippe Coutinho Institute in Rio de Janeiro, has indicated his desire to stay in Brazil. According to behind-the-scenes information, the expectation is that this personal desire will weigh positively in the negotiations.

The contract with Aston Villa ends in June 2026. Therefore, even with the possible new loan until the end of this year, Vasco will be able to sign a pre-contract with the athlete from January 2026. This strategy is already considered by Vasco's directors as part of the long-term planning.

On the field, coach Fernando Diniz sees Coutinho as an indispensable player. "At the moment, there are no names on the market to replace him," the coach revealed to people close to him, as reported by the VDG-Cast channel. The midfielder has a good relationship with Diniz and is considered essential for the simultaneous competition of the Brasileirão, the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sul-Americana.

Despite the uncertainty, there is optimism on the part of both Vasco and Coutinho's staff. Expectations revolve around the possibility of Aston Villa facilitating a new loan, if the definitive termination does not materialize. After all, the player had already accepted a significant salary reduction to play in Brazil, easing the English team's payroll — which strengthened the relationship between the parties involved.

Finally, Vasco's management understands that, even if the outcome takes time, there is enough time to register a new contract and keep the number 11 in the squad. Negotiations are open, but with a favorable climate behind the scenes.