The last two and half years has been one to forget for Philippe Coutinho after finally sealing his dream move to Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018.
Coutinho 27, was Liverpool’s best midfield player before leaving Anfield and was urged to stay by Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp but was adamant and even boycott the club’s matches in order for his release to be sanctioned.
He had registered 14 goals and nine assists in the 2016/17 season in 36 outings and made 20 appearances for The Reds in the 2017/18, scoring 12 times and assisting eight others before finally moving to Barcelona in January.
Klopp was believed to have said to Coutinho: “Stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour.
“Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”
The Brazilian finally got his move and he became Barcelona’s record signing when he moved to Spain as the club paid a record fee of £142m to The Reds for his services.
The former Inter player admitted his reason for joining Barcelona is to win big trophies, however, after his departure, Liverpool have reached the UEFA Champions League final twice, winning it once and nearly won the EPL last season but the trophy is almost certain for the Merseyside club this season, if the league is concluded.
Coutinho made a good start to life in Spain, scoring 10goals and assisting six times in the remaining half of the season in 22 appearances including as a substitute.
However, things started to turn sour on his full debut season when he scored just 5 league goals in 34 appearances and Barcelona were eliminated in the Champions League by eventual winners, Liverpool.
The depletion in form triggered his loan move to Bayern Munich in ahead of the 2019/20 season. The deal included an option for The Bavarian to make the move permanent if they are willing.
He has made 32 appearances for Bayern this season including as a substitute and has nine goals and eight assists in all competitions.
However, as impressive as his stats is, it can be deceiving as the German club believes his performances is not worthy of a permanent deal at €120m and are ready to let the option to buy expire in June 30.
Rumors have linked the midfielder to a Premier League return with a number of top teams believed to be interested in signing him on loan. However, his cost is enough to put teams off as Barcelona might not to be willing to sell on a low, a player who costs them a fortune.
Barcelona made Coutinho the third most expensive football player in history in 2018, paying Liverpool a fee believed to be around £142m, however, the drastic depletion of form has lowered his worth in the transfer market to almost halfnth the sum they paid.
Coutinho’s agent Joorabchian told Sky Sports: ‘ The Premier League is something that he has always enjoyed playing in, and loved playing in, and would probably love to come back and play in.
‘The question is what are going to be the financial conditions of all the clubs, including Barcelona and all the Premier League clubs at the end of this pandemic.
However, parent club, Barcelona have remained silent amid the rumors of loan moves for Coutinho but their rumored interest in bringing Neymar back to the Camp Nou and the move to sign Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan suggests Coutinho might have no future at the club.
Recent reports suggest Arsenal are in talks to bring him to the Emirates on loan ahead of the 2020/21 season. Coutinho’s agent being an Arsenal fan could help make the deal easier if The Gunners really need to bring him in.
It remain to be seen where Coutinho will spend the upcoming season.
