Philippe Coutinho is due to return to Camp Nou though it is expected to be a temporary reunion. It is a given that FC Barcelona is not to keen on keeping the Brazilian footballer and is likely to end up elsewhere. The only question right now is where the 28-year-old will play next.
Coutinho was part of the triumphant Bayern Munich squad that won the Champions League over Paris Saint-Germain. He came in at a certain part of the match, doing whatever role it is that Hans-Dieter Flick needed from him. Though not eye-popping in the eyes of most, it remains that the Brazilian is a Champions League champion and that can fit in well with his resume.
Moving forward, Coutinho is likely to continue enjoying this Champions League triumph moment. But once the adrenaline starts to die down, he will have to face the grim reality of his football future. Coutinho was dialed in during the Champions League but he will have to deal with reality soon.
"My mind is fully focused on the competition. It’s a unique opportunity for us. I’m very happy to be in the Champions League final," Coutinho said to Esporte Interativo. "On my future, I haven’t thought about it because I’m only thinking about the final."
Coutinho did not have a stellar season. He dealt with an ankle injury but managed to score 11 goals and nine assists. The Brazilian made the same number of goals when he last played for Barca to go with five assists. Unfortunately, this effort was not enough and led to his loan spell to Bayern.
One team believed to be interested in Coutinho is Arsenal. Mikel Arteta continues to find players to beef up his defensive line and the Brazilian is a looming option. But before that, there are financial ends that Liverpool and Barcelona need to settle.
Barcelona still owes Liverpool roughly $5.6 million of the $138 million deal for Coutinho. The Reds have gotten the majority of that sum and are waiting for the rest. To get that, Coutinho needs to play 15 more games with Barca before settling the balance. But as things look now, seeing that happen may not be feasible. That is unless Barca ends up playing Coutinho first before dealing him to another club.
Hence, the outlook for Coutinho has gotten more entangled. It is not as easy as dealing him away to a new club with the financial ramifications between Barca and The Reds still up in the air.
