Coach Ronald Koeman directly asked Barcelona leadership to keep Philippe Coutinho for the 2020/21 season.
According to Marca, Coutinho secured a position in the Barca squad this season. Coach Koeman met Barca’s leadership to express his desire to keep Coutinho. Barca wanted to sell off Coutinho this summer, but the deal could not happen.
Barca sold Coutinho for no less than 90 million euros. In the context of football affected by the epidemic, no club is willing to spend heavily to recruit Coutinho. Marca confirmed that Barca’s sale of Coutinho in the summer of 2020 is impossible.
Coach Koeman has a plan to revive Coutinho in Barca shirt. The Dutch captain wanted Coutinho to play in the middle, instead of running. Under Ernesto Valverde, Coutinho played in the left striker position and was heavily disappointed.
In the 2019/20 season, Coutinho played Bayern under the loan agreement. Bayern had to pay 8.5 million euros for Coutinho’s service for one season. The Brazilian star played 38 matches, scored 11 goals and had 9 assists.
Bayern has the right to buy off Coutinho, but refuses because he is not willing to pay 90 million euros. In the terms of Coutinho’s purchase, Barca offers an initial price of 120 million euros. Then, Barca reduced to 90 million euros to quickly get rid of the former Liverpool star.
Barca recruited Coutinho for 145 million euros. Coutinho is the most expensive player in the history of the Camp Nou. Coutinho played 76 games for Barca, scoring 21 goals and 11 assists.
Koeman’s appearance made a series of Barca players turned on the field. Ivan Rakitic has moved to Sevilla. Luis Suarez and Arturo Vidal are counting down the date to leave the Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Coach Koeman brings positive signals to many players. He wanted to elevate Frenkie de Jong as an anchor midfielder, revive Antoine Griezmann and give Coutinho the chance.