Liverpool set for final Coutinho kickback as Kia confirms Barcelona decision

Posted Wednesday, September 09, 2020 by Tribalfootball.com

The agent of Philippe Coutinho has confirmed the Brazil playmaker will spend this season at Barcelona.

It was believed Coutinho would be sold after a season on loan at Bayern Munich.

But Coutinho's representative, Kia Joorabchian, has revealed new manager Ronald Koeman wants the 27-year-old at the club.

This means Barca certainly have to finish paying the final piece of Coutinho's transfer fee from Liverpool.

The Spanish giants paid £106m up-front for Coutinho in 2018, and the remaining £36m was to be made up in instalments.

Liverpool are still owed £4.4m, but that will be paid once Coutinho - who has been linked with Arsenal and Tottenham - makes another 15 appearances for Barca this season, according to the Mirror.

Speaking about his client, Joorabchian said: "I think it was very clear, [Barcelona boss Ronald] Koeman called him right after the Champions League victory with Bayern the following day.

"He told him that he is very much in his plans and he would like him to return. He was due to return on September 7, actually.

"But he returned at the beginning of September as he didn't want to lose his momentum and fitness and he's been training with Barcelona.

"All signs point that Barcelona have changed, quite dramatically, with their philosophy of how they want to move forward from last year.

"And I think the players they have brought in like Coutinho, [Ousmane] Dembele and [Antoine] Griezmann, they are all going to be part of the squad this year.

"When you are playing for the team you have to do your job and I think he did his job perfectly [in the Champions League].

"It is probably the reason Barcelona want him back so badly."