Barcelona manager Quique Setien 'planning to use Philippe Coutinho next season'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 24 April 2020

Quique Setien 'planning to use Coutinho next season'

Philippe Coutinho is reportedly still part of Quique Setien's plans heading into next season, despite initially struggling to adapt to life at Camp Nou.

Out-of-favour Barcelona attacker Philippe Coutinho is reportedly still a part of Quique Setien's plans heading into next season.

The former Liverpool man has struggled to make an impact at Camp Nou since his big-money move from Anfield and has spent this season on loan with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The 27-year-old has fared slightly better in Germany, registering eight goals and six assists in 22 league outings, although the Bavarian giants are said to be unwilling to exercise their option of a permanent deal.

However, according to Marca, Setien is planning to play Coutinho as a midfielder rather than a winger in order to provide a solution heading into the 2020-21 campaign.

The report also claims the Catalan giants have accepted that they will not be able to find a buyer for the Brazil international amid the coronavirus pandemic, despite reports linking Chelsea with an imminent swoop for Coutinho.

The winger has amassed 21 goals from 76 games in all competitions for Barcelona since his arrival and will see his current deal at Camp Nou expire in 2023.