This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
On August 17, 2019, Barcelona confirmed they have an agreement in principle to send Philippe Coutinho on loan to Bayern Munich.
The 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder was left out of the squad for Barca's La Liga opener against Athletic Bilbao on Friday, with club director Guillermo Amor confirming the deal is close to being finalized.
"We can confirm that there is an agreement in principle for the loan of Coutinho to Bayern and we just have to finalise the deal," Amor told Movistar, ahead of the game at San Mames.
Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for an initial 120 million euros, plus another 40 million euros in potential add-ons.
However, despite huge excitement around Coutinho's arrival, he has struggled to find his place at Camp Nou, with some suggesting his style and positioning clashed with Lionel Messi.
Gerard Pique was asked earlier this month about the possibility of Coutinho leaving, saying, "I want him [Coutinho] to stay," but added, "at the end of the day it's what he wants and I want him to be happy."
Coutinho's departure to Bayern could also have implications for Barcelona's hopes of re-signing Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, with PSG reportedly keen for Coutinho to be included in any bid.
