FC Bayern and Barcelona have agreed a basic framework for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho to Munich, by which the Brazil international will initially join the German record champions from the Catalan side on a season-long loan, with Bayern to possess an option to make the deal for the 27-year-old forward permanent after that. Coutinho is expected in Munich in the next few days to finalise the deal and complete the obligatory pre-transfer medical.
“I can confirm that Hasan [Salihamidzic] and I were in Barcelona last Wednesday and reached agreement with FC Barcelona and the player. We’ve watched Coutinho for quite some time. The name doesn’t matter, only the quality,” commented FC Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge following the 2-2 draw with Hertha BSC in Friday’s Bundesliga opening match.
“I’d like to thank FC Barcelona. Obviously we still have to finalise a few details, but we’re delighted to be bringing this player to FC Bayern,” sporting director Salihamidzic stated.
Head coach Niko Kovac said: “In my opinion, not only FC Bayern Munich, but also the entire Bundesliga and the whole of Germany can be delighted to be welcoming such a big-name player to our league.“
The Brazilian joined Barcelona from Liverpool in the summer of 2018, rating as the second-most expensive player in the world at the time after his fellow countryman Neymar. Coutinho previously had spells at Espanyol Barcelona, Inter Milan and in his home country at Vasco da Gama. He has 56 full international caps for Brazil and has scored 16 goals for his country.
