PHILIPPE COUTINHO will take a 50 per cent pay cut to stay at Bayern Munich until the end of the season, according to reports.
The Brazilian, who pockets around £240,000-a-week, has spent the campaign in Germany having fallen out of favour at Barcelona.
Coutinho will take a pay cut to extend his stay at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Coutinho’s initial loan deal was due to expire on Tuesday but the season was extended over the coronavirus pandemic.
Bayern are already crowned Bundesliga champions but wanted Coutinho to extend his stay as they plot their assualt on the Champions League which commences in August.
And the former Liverpool man was more than happy to see out the season despite Marca reporting that he had to take a significant pay cut.
Coutinho has made 33 appearances in all competitions this season scoring nine goals.
Bayern have the option of landing the playmaker on a permanent deal for £108million at the end of the campaign but are likely to turn their attentions elsewhere.
That will leave Coutinho’s career in limbo with reports linking him with a move back to the Premier League.
His availability is set to spark a transfer scramble in the summer with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all interested in his signature.
One major stumbling block remains his value and wages with Barca hoping to recoup most of the £145m they forked out for him in 2018.
And with the coronavirus pandemic causing havoc on football’s finances, Coutinho would need to take another pay cut to make the switch.
A loan deal remains the most likely with Barca requiring a £10m fee to let him leave for the season.
Chelsea ‘close’ to sealing Philippe Coutinho transfer as agreement grows near with Barcelona amid interest from Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
