Bayern Munich are set to sign Philippe Coutinho on a one-year loan from Barcelona. An agreement has been made “in principle” between the Bavarians and la Blaugrana. If Coutinho impresses Die Roten throughout the season, the club could exercise its option to make his move permanent for a hefty fee.
Bayern Munich Set to Sign Philippe Coutinho
ℹ️#FCBayern and @FCBarcelona have agreed a deal in principle for the transfer of @Phil_Coutinho on loan with an option to buy.
More to follow… pic.twitter.com/YdLNylkySD
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 16, 2019
Marquee Signing
It has been a long summer for Bayern Munich, who have spent the majority of the past months chasing after Manchester City winger Leroy Sane. The Germany international suffered an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament injury just days before he was to complete his Bayern medical, though, leaving the Bavarians scrambling to find options on the wing.
Bayern first signed Ivan Perisic on loan from Inter Milan. The Croatian may not have the same star status as Sane, but he will add some great depth on the wings. Even with Perisic, however, Bayern still needed a star player to boost their attack.
For that, they turned to Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho. The 27-year-old will join Bayern Munich on a one-year loan. Much like with Perisic, the German champions have the option to make Coutinho’s move permanent at the season’s end should they so choose.
Coutinho will travel to Munich in the coming days to complete his medical. Once that is done, the club should release more details of the deal.
A Turbulent Past
The last few seasons have not quite gone according to plan for Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian joined FC Barcelona in January 2018 after establishing himself as a European superstar with Liverpool.
Since then, however, Coutinho has only looked a shadow of the player he once was. Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has never been able to pull the best out of the 27-year-old.
Coutinho will no doubt be eager to prove himself at Bayern Munich after failing to make much of a mark in Barcelona. The Brazilian certainly has the ability to do so, but some questions remain as to how he will fit in with his new club.
Bayern Munich Sign Philippe Coutinho: How Will He Fit In?
Few would argue that Philippe Coutinho is not among the most exciting attacking players in Europe. The ‘Little Magician’ has incredible skill on the ball and can curl in a long-range strike with the best of them.
Though many would suggest Coutinho is more effective in the centre of the park, he has played the vast majority of his career matches as a left-winger. It was from that position, in fact, that he established himself as a star under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
That is also the position the Brazilian is most likely to occupy at Bayern Munich. He may make the occasional appearance in central midfield, but he is more likely to feature on the flanks. After all, that is where Die Roten need the most reinforcements.
Coutinho is not the fastest, but he is not particularly slow either. His control on the ball is exceptional, and he has great vision and passing range. Furthermore, the 27-year-old is a massive goal-scoring threat both in and around the box. Somewhat akin to Arjen Robben, Coutinho specializes in curling long-range efforts from well outside the box into the back of the net.
He may not be Leroy Sane, but Philippe Coutinho will provide a significant boost to Bayern Munich’s wings. The 27-year-old has much to prove and could well reinstate himself as one of Europe’s best in the Bavarian capital.
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