Philippe Coutinho has shut down ‘lies’ that he wants to leave Aston Villa, insisting that he has ‘never’ asked to leave the club.
Villa initially signed Coutinho on a loan deal from Aston Villa last January, but he penned a four-year permanent deal with the club in the summer – despite his performances not living up to his reputation.
Villa boss at the time Steven Gerrard – who was team-mates with Coutinho at Anfield – pushed strongly to sign the ex-Liverpool playmaker but it is yet to have paid off.
There had been reports that Coutinho had asked to leave the Birmingham club to try and revive his career but the 30-year-old has rubbished this speculation.
In an Instagram post, the midfielder said: ‘In the last few days I’ve seen a lot of news with my name but so far, okay, the problem is now that some lies have started and I’m here to clarify.
‘NEVER and at any moment had any kind of conversation of mine asking to leave the club, because I’m happy here and my family too.
‘My only focus now that I’m recovered from the injury is to work at the maximum every day, to play in a high level and help the club and my team mates to achieve our goals.’
He also posted the same message on his Instagram story in an effort to end any speculation over his future.
At the start of November, Coutinho was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a quadricep injury which ruled him out of the World Cup – although he returned to action on Boxing Day as a late substitute against his former club Liverpool.
The Brazil playmaker was already facing an uphill struggle to make the squad due to a loss of form and lack of regular action.
Despite being one of the favourites, country were knocked out by Croatia in a shock quarter-final defeat on penalties.
This season, the former Liverpool star has failed to score and assist in 13 appearances. He has only started on six occasions.
In the previous season, after signing in January he netted five times and registered five assists in 19 appearances.
Villa are set to back Unai Emery in the transfer window and have been linked with Arnaut Danjuma and Nicolas Jackson.