Philippe Coutinho is not expected to play for Bayern Munich again after the Chelsea transfer target suffered a setback in his recovery from ankle surgery.
Bayern Munich player Philippe Coutinho – Photot credit: Goal.com
The Brazilian, who is on loan in Bavaria from Barcelona, had an operation last month and was expected to be fit enough to resume training at the end of May.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed the Bundesliga champions have not activated their purchase option for Philippe Coutinho and the clause has now expired.
Coutinho joined Bayern on a season-long loan deal from LaLiga holders Barcelona at the start of the 2019-20 campaign but he has struggled to establish himself in Munich.
The Brazil international arrived with the option to buy for €120million but Bayern have opted not to exercise the deal, though Rummenigge did not close the door on Coutinho.
“The option expired and we haven’t activated it,” Rummenigge told German magazine Der Spiegel. “We’re going to plan our squad for next season and we’ll see if he still has a role to play with us or not.”
Coutinho has failed to live up to the hype since swapping Liverpool for Barca in a blockbuster transfer in 2018.
The 27-year-old has scored eight goals and set up another six goals in 22 Bundesliga matches for Bayern this season, which has been disrupted by coronavirus.
As Bayern reportedly eye Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane, Coutinho does not appear to be at the top of the club’s list.
It has since been confirmed that there have been complications and he is now set to be out for at least six more weeks.
With the Bundesliga set to return this weekend that makes a comeback before the campaign concludes – subject to further coronavirus-related delay – unlikely.
Bayern are not currently planning to activate the €120million (£105million) option to buy in the deal and it is unclear if Coutinho will be given another chance at Barca next season under Quique Setien.
Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the attacker but would not be willing to pay £105million.
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