Transfer Centre

Philippe Coutinho agent opens door to Barcelona stay amid Arsenal links

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 14 August 2020

The agent of Philippe Coutinho insists that the Brazilian could still stay at Barcelona this summer, despite speculation of an impending switch to Arsenal.

Philippe Coutinho's agent Kia Joorabchian has insisted that his client could still stay at Barcelona this summer.

The 28-year-old is widely expected to leave Camp Nou during the current transfer window, having been loaned out to Bayern Munich this season and told that he is not part of Barca's long-term plans.

Bayern have decided against triggering their option to buy clause while Barcelona need to sell players in order to trim their wage bill, and a return to the Premier League has been touted as the most likely option.

Arsenal were thought to be leading the race for Coutinho's signature, but Joorabchian insists that no decision will be made until after the Champions League campaign comes to an end.

"After the Champions League is finished, and whatever happens, then we'll sit down," he told talkSPORT.

"It could be that Barcelona is the ultimate destination. He loves the Premier League, but the finances and the numbers and the situation of COVID are going to play a big part.

"He's a big player with big numbers."

Coutinho, whose Bayern side face his parent club Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this evening, has scored nine goals and created eight more in 35 appearances for the German outfit this season.