BARCELONA are reportedly confident that Philippe Coutinho will make a return to England this summer.
Catalan outlet Esport3 claim that the Brazilian’s agent Kia Joorabchian is working on a Premier League transfer amid interest from Arsenal and Tottenham.
Bayern Munich loanee Philippe Coutinho is interested in a return to the Premier League this summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The report adds that Bayern Munich, who had Coutinho on loan this term, have not yet been ruled out as a permanent option.
The 28-year-old, who pockets around £240,000-a-week, has already agreed a reported 50 per cent pay cut to stay at the Bavarians until August.
The Bundesliga champions still have the option of landing the playmaker on a permanent deal for £108million at the end of the season.
But with Bayern likely to turn their attentions elsewhere, Coutinho has been linked 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 and Tottenham all interested in his signature.
Barcelona were said to be demanding a £10m loan fee for the former Liverpool ace, who is said to be willing to take a pay-cut to rejoin his old teammates at the end of the season.
And Reds star Firmino cheekily ‘liked’ a post about his potential to return to Anfield on social media.
But Gabby Agbonlahor believes Coutinho would need to apologise to fans before he would be welcomed back.
He told Stadium Astro: “For me, I’d go out there and get Coutinho back.
“I’d probably say, ‘you have to apologise for the way you left, but come back’.
“For me, he is what Liverpool are missing in there. You can even play Coutinho where [Roberto] Firmino plays if Firmino isn’t doing it. The way Firmino plays, it looks like he is just told by [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah. ‘we are having the shots’.
“So, if you went in and bought an [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, I think that could upset the way Liverpool play because Salah and Mane wouldn’t get as many shots because Firmino is very unselfish.
“Coutinho needs to be the main man in the team, and at Liverpool, he would be. I think he would do a great job at Liverpool and the fans would forgive him and have him back.”
Chelsea ‘close’ to sealing Philippe Coutinho transfer as agreement grows near with Barcelona amid interest from Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
