Bayern Munich to Extend Philippe Coutinho Loan to Keep Him for Champions League
Bayern Munich have extended Philippe Coutinho’s loan deal from Barcelona beyond the original termination date of 30 June so that the German title winners can call upon the Brazilian in the rescheduled Champions League tournament.
Coutinho joined Bayern in the summer of 2019 for a loan fee of £7.65m, with an option to buy at a fixed priced of £110m. Bayern’s latest number ten has shown flashes of brilliance but has lacked consistency, scoring eight goals and registering six assists in 22 league games this season.
Due to an ankle injury which required surgery during the enforced hiatus, Coutinho has been sidelined for all of Bayern’s fixtures after football returned to Germany in May. In his absence, the Bavarian giants added an eighth consecutive league title to their ever-expanding collection as their focus now shifts to European competition.
In the hopes of emulating the club’s last success in the competition back in 2013, Bayern have extended Coutinho’s loan deal until the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign, as reported by Sky Germany (via Sky Sports).
Coutinho came on for the final 25 minutes of Bayern’s last Champions League outing against Chelsea in February. The Bundesliga side dismantled Frank Lampard’s team in the round of 16 tie, winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge with the second leg to come.
The Champions League has a set return date! ?
? The remaining last-16 ties may be played at their original venues.
? The Final 8 will held in Lisbon from August 12.
? Final set for August 23rd. pic.twitter.com/FVf0QULY5W— 90min (@90min_Football) June 17, 2020
The sides progressing beyond the round of 16 will enter an exciting mini-tournament held in Portugal later this summer, providing the perfect replacement for the postponed European Championships.
Bayern not only expect to reach this restructured format, but go into it as favourites following their rebirth under Hansi Flick. Being able to call upon Coutinho from the bench only improves their chances of continental glory but it seems that the Brazilian’s future lies elsewhere next season.
As Barcelona continue to be linked to a wide range of attacking options, and with finances at the La Liga side tight as they are, Coutinho may not be at his parent club either next season. A host of Premier League teams have been linked with Coutinho, including Chelsea and Leicester, but 90min revealed in April that his former side Liverpool have first refusal on the attacking midfielder.
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