Star Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara wants the Bavarian giants to keep Philippe Coutinho for the next season and it could prove to be a massive transfer blow to Chelsea. Coutinho has spent the current campaign with the Bundesliga champions on loan with parent club Barcelona looking to offload the Brazilian.
Bayern has so far seemed unwilling to meet the £102m price tag needed to make the 27-year-old’s move permanent, leading to speculation that the ex-Liverpool star could be heading back to the Premier League with Chelsea emerging as the potential destination.
Star Bayern midfielder Thiago has told the media that he will look to convince Bayern to keep the Brazilian international. He has further heaped praise on his 27-year-old team-mate.
What Thiago Alcantara Told The Media?
He told Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia: “I know him well, he is very good. I have seen him play since he was 12 years old. I played against him in Brazil at football sala and I loved him.
“He lacks nothing. I like to play with players at a top-level and he’s a phenomenon. He is a great guy, really hard working, with unbeatable technique and incredible finishing. Players go through good moments and some not so good ones and he brings us a lot. We hope he is here next season too.”
Thiago himself was linked with a move away from Munich in recent times but has since agreed on a new contract extension.
With nine goals and eight assists for Coutinho before the season was suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic, Bayern is yet to make a move to sign him permanently. Chelsea is said to be leading the race having made contact with the player, but they are joined also by Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Newcastle United have also emerged as a potential destination of the out of favour Barcelona star with the North East club soon to boast the richest owners in the Premier League.
A Saudi-Arabia backed takeover is nearing completion at the North East club. This could change the club’s fortunes. It is strongly reported Coutinho has been identified as a marquee signing.
What Could Be The Fate Of Coutinho Now?
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been identified as the next manager of the club. They are looking to challenge the big clubs in England and Europe in the coming years.
Pochettino is a huge admirer of Coutinho. The duo shares a very good relationship of having worked together. They had a partnership of short span of time when Pochettinho was in charge of Espanyol. He signed a young Coutinho on loan.
Barcelona knows that they would have to see a monumental loss by selling Coutinho for almost half the price they spent on him in January 2018. There are also speculations that they could offer him one last chance to impress at Camp Nou.
Quique Setien is at the helm now. He believes a much different philosophy than that of Ernesto Valverde. Coutinho could be retained at Camp Nou for the next season as well.
