Barca Star’s Agent Dismisses Premier League Return, Claims Player Could Stay At Nou Camp

Philippe Coutinho’s agent Kia Joorabchian has dismissed his client’s move to Arsenal this summer, claiming that the midfielder could remain at FC Barcelona.

Coutinho moved from Liverpool FC to Nou Camp during the 2018 January transfer window. He managed to score 10 goals in 22 appearances in his debut season. The following campaign, which was his first full season at Barcelona, the Brazilian only netted 11 times in as many as 54 matches. Barcelona secured Coutinho on a hefty $185 million deal and at the end of the 2018-19 season, the club believed the player had not done justice to his price tag.

Ahead of the 2019-20 season, Barcelona loaned off Coutinho to Bayern Munich, where the 28-year-old scored nine times in 35 competitive games. The loan deal had an option to buy, but the German champions have decided not to trigger that clause, leaving Barcelona stuck with a player who clearly is not in their plans.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several soccer clubs have been hit financially including the Spanish giants. It is understood that the club is looking to offload several players this summer and Coutinho is included in that list.

It was recently reported that Coutinho has agreed to personal terms with Arsenal to join them on loan for next season. However, his super-agent Joorabchian has told sports website talkSPORT that Coutinho’s future will be decided at the end of the 2019-20 Champions League.

"After the Champions League is finished, and whatever happens, then we’ll sit down. It could be that Barcelona is the ultimate destination. He loves the Premier League, but the finances and the numbers and the situation of COVID are going to play a big part. He’s a big player with big numbers," added Joorabchian in his interview with talkSPORT.

Joorabchian, who also represents Chelsea’s forward Willian, has refused to confirm his Brazilian client’s move to Arsenal saying the player’s future will be announced soon. After spending seven years at Chelsea, the 32-year-old Willian is set to leave The Blues as a free agent this summer. He confirmed his departure recently in an open letter to Chelsea fans. He has been heavily linked with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as it is believed that Willian has cleared the medical and signed a three-contract with the North London club.