Phil Coutinho set to join Bayern on a one-year loan deal with option to buy

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Bayern Munich have confirmed on Friday that they have reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Philippe Coutinho on a season-long loan with an option to buy the play-maker next summer. The midfielder has failed to impress the Blaugrana faithful since joining them from Liverpool in January 2018 and the club was eager to offload him to a number of Premier League clubs. However, nothing materialized, and finally the Brazilian is on his way to join the Bundesliga giants.

Coutinho managed 11 goals and five assists in 54 appearances in all competitions last year, which was seen as a disappointment by many Barca fans. He was left out of Barcelona’s squad for the La Liga season-opener against Athletic Bilbao on Friday. The deal looks almost complete but not formally closed, with the player’s move to the Bundesliga champions seems imminent.

“I can confirm that there’s an agreement in principle in the case of Coutinho’s loan [to Bayern]” said, Guillermo Amor, the official spokesman of FC Barcelona.

Bayern Munich also started their Bundesliga campaign on Friday, drawing 2-2 at home against Hertha Berlin. Right after the game sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic confirmed the deal for the 27-year-old.

“I can confirm that (Bayern CEO) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I have been in Barcelona this week and we have reached an agreement with FC Barcelona and with the player and his agent,” Salihamidzic told ZDF.

“We have had very good discussions; I would like to thank FC Barcelona. Of course, there are still missing a few details, including the medical check and the signature. It is a transfer on loan for one year followed by a purchase option for FC Bayern.”