Vasco da Gama's president, Pedrinho, admitted to the club’s desire to retain Philippe Coutinho.
The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Liverpool midfielder is on loan from Aston Villa.
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The Midlands club’s boss Unai Emery does not see Coutinho as a first team option for his side.
“I intend to (try for a new loan). It’s difficult (to buy him from Aston Villa), until then (end of loan) I don’t know, suddenly there’s an investor (laughs),” Pedrinho said recently.
Villa are likely to be open to the move, as they do not see any avenue for earning a transfer fee for Coutinho.
His stock has fallen considerably since his heyday, with little interest from European teams.