Philippe Coutinho: Pundit discusses Chelsea transfer fee
Barcelona boss Quique Setien has thrown a potential lifeline to Philippe Coutinho. The former Liverpool playmaker is set to return to the Nou Camp after a disappointing loan spell at Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga champions have decided against activating their option to keep him on a permanent basis.
Coutinho has been linked with a return to the Premier League after flopping following his £142million transfer to Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018.
Express Sport understands Chelsea are interested in a loan deal for the 27-year-old while reports in Spain have claimed a swap deal involving N’Golo Kante could be proposed by the Nou Camp giants.
Barcelona are likely to be tempted to sell Coutinho to ease financial concerns sparked by the coronavirus crisis.
Setien, however, insists he is a fan of the Brazil international and would like him to form part of his squad next season.
But the Barcelona boss admits that the club would be willing to sell if they receive a tempting offer.
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Bayern Munich do not want to keep Philippe Coutinho (Image: GETTY)
Agent Kia Joorabchian is a self-confessed Gunners fan but he insists he will not force his client to the Emirates Stadium.
"The fact I'm an Arsenal supporter is not a secret," Joorabchian said. "I don't have any preference where the players go. I don't try to push someone to one club or another. Everything is a possibility. After the Champions League game he played in England we had a long chat about it.
"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."