From £140m to £5m & no Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami! Philippe Coutinho’s fall from grace continues as ex-Barcelona star is linked with transfer back to square one

The former Brazil international was considered to be one of the most exciting talents on the planet when leaving Liverpool for Barcelona in a transfer deal that is still the third biggest of all-time. Things did not play out as planned at Camp Nou, leading to loan spells and an eventual return to England at Aston Villa.

Coutinho has played just 24 minutes of Premier League football for them this season, and is currently on loan in Qatar at Al-Duhail. Another move is expected this summer, with the 31-year-old needing to find a spark from somewhere.

There had been talk of a switch to the United States being taken in, with MLS outfit Inter Miami credited with interest at one stage – with any deal there set to reunite Coutinho with former Barca team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

TNT Sports Brazil are, however, reporting that Coutinho could be offered an opportunity to head back to square one. Vasco da Gama – who nurtured the talented playmaker through their youth ranks – are said to be exploring a loan deal that would include a purchase obligation of between £4m ($5m) and £6m ($8m).